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-T'v ■■ 




GIVE YOUR OPP 
STIFF ARM . . . 


and gallop to a box office victory with 

Paramount’s" TOUCH DOWN, ARMY 






What America needs this week is flood 
control. 

Such crying over “Boys Town.” 

Exhibitors tell us the folks stay for a 
second and third cry. 

But there’s no weeping when the receipts 
are counted. 

Leo is very proud of “Boys Town” 
because it’s a great box-office success 
that also has won additional friends, 
new praise for the industry. 

Doing sensational business everywhere, 
held in practically every situation for ex- 
tra weeks, extra days. And doing as well 
in its 2nd week as a normal first week! 

Please keep your release schedule very 
elastic, Mr. Exhibitor, because Leo’s on 
an extended-run rampage: “Marie 
Antoinette,” “Boys Town,” “Too Hot 
To Handle” — one after another. (And 
Technicolor “Sweethearts” MacDonald- 
Eddy, just previewed! Terrific!) 

In fact Mr. Exhibitor here’s our tip: 

HOLD EVERYTHING! 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 



HOLDING “MARIE”! 

“Marie Antoinette,” at N.Y.’s Astor, is 
packing ’em in at $2 (fancy) prices, 5th 
week! On other Broadways it’s a happy 
hold-over at pop prices: 4th week 
Chicago; 3rd week Detroit, Pittsburgh, 
Cleveland, SaltLake; 2nd week Portland, 
Boston (day — date State &c Orpheum) 
St. Louis, Toledo, Columbus, ’Frisco, 
Atlanta, Denver, Baltimore, Cincinnati, 
Washington, Louisville, etc., etc. 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

‘BOYS TOWN’ STARTS! 

Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney keep ’em 
coming 3rd week Capitol, N.Y.; 2nd week 
Atlanta, Reading, Harrisburg, Wilming- 
ton, Houston, New Orleans, Omaha, Salt 
Lake, Portland, Bridgeport, Cleveland, 
Columbus, Dayton, New Haven, 
Norfolk, Providence. Richmond, 
Washington, D. C., Louisville and more 
hold-overs every minute! 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

EYES ON NEWSREEL! 

Leo’s very proud of the new streamlined 
issues of his “NEWS OF THE DAY.” 
John B. Kennedy, famed radio voice 
speeds the news across in “The Front 
Page”; Bill Stern, N.B.C. sports author- 
ity covers “The Sports Page”; and 
Adelaide Hawley enlivens “The Wo- 
man’s Page.” Snappy newsreel! Largest 
world wide coverage. Better than ever! 




“Sweetheart of the day!” 



WE HAVE JUST SEEN 
A GREAT PICTURE! 

They ought to wire the seats for sound 
in M-G-M’s projection room! If those 
chairs could talk, what an earful you’d 
get about the screening of “The Citadel.” 
A great motion picture has come to your 
midst, gents, and from now until release 
jn November you’re going to hear a 
great deal about it, in the press, on the 
air, by word-of-mouth. Ten million 
people have read this best seller of a 
young doctor’s dramatic fight for his 
ideals, of his surrender to the luxuries 
of a society doctor’s life, of the girl who 
brought him back to the battle of human- 
ity. Memorable scenes: heroism in the 
depths of a mine; the birth and almost 
death of a miner’s baby; a society doctor 
and the women he knows. Powerful, 
tender, exciting . . . it’s got the mixture 
that accelerates the box-office! But 
you’ll soon know for yourself. Watch 
for NATIONWIDE TRADE SCREEN- 
INGS OF “THE CITADEL.” (A bow 
to the stars Robert Donat, Rosalind 
Russell; and to the director, King Vidor.) 



TOUCHDOWN, LEO! 

A smart idea in shorts. Reviewing 8 
gridiron classics of last year so that 
alumni in every territory will flock to see 
their college team. It’s Pete Smith’s 
“Football Thrills.” Another Pete Smith 
subject “Grid Rules” and Robert 
Benchley’s “How To Watch Football” 
launch the Fall Season. Book ’em while 
they’re hot! (Aside to Leo, Jr.: “Gee whiz, 
kid, you sure make swell shorts !) 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

THANKS, KIND SIR! 

“A Letter to Leo” 

Dear Leo: That man’s here again for the 15th 
time. It’s the same story, coming for your prod- 
uct, the only product which spells continued 
success for me. I am grateful for the years'it has 
been my pleasure to show M-G-M pictures, for 
they have been years of success, not only financi- 
ally but also years of cordial and square business 
relations. Sincerely yours, August llg, Ohio Theatre, 
Lorain, Ohio. 


KING AND QUEEN 
OF THE SCREEN! 

Leo of M-G-M takes this MOTION 
PICTURES’ GREATEST YEAR cam- 
paign very seriously. Here’s another for 
the Big Drive! 

“Too Hot To Handle” flamed into fame 
this week with Clark Gable and Myrna 
Loy delighting record-breaking openings 
everywhere. It’s topping “Test Pilot.” 
And that’s nice topping! 

The trade press told you in advance. 
Those lads know their stuff. (Read the 
trade papers! Advt.) For instance: Film 
Daily said: “A smash at the box-office.” 
M. P. Daily said: “Better than any of 
the stars’ six preceding pictures.” M. P. 
Herald: “A natural. Lines in front of 
the box-office.” Daily Variety: “Sure-fire 
big-money show.” Hollywood Reporter: 
“One of the financial stand-outs of 
M.P. A.Y. G.E. campaign.” Showmen’s 
Trade Review: “Cinch box-office.” The 
Exhibitor: “SRO attraction.” Box-Office: 
“As torrid as its title at the turnstiles.” 

The only complaint we anticipate is 
“too many to handle!” 

★ * ★ ★ ★ 


IT ALL 
HELPS THE 
BOX- 
OFFICE! 

Screenland’s Honor 
Page for “Marie 
Antoinette.” Few 
films have received so 
many tributes. They 
keep coming! 


★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Here’s a line that has become familiar 
in the trade press. 

In fact we’re quoting it this time from 
the PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITOR’S 
review of “Boys Town,” as follows: 

“M-G-M made the picture, but it is a 
show of which the whole industry may 
be proud.” 

America said that editorially (and at the 
box-office) about “Marie Antoinette.” 

They’ll say it again about “The Citadel.” 

M-G-M is the one company that con- 
sistently makes pictures “of which the 
whole industry” may be proud. 

How fitting that as Motion Pictures’ 
Greatest Year Campaign sweeps the 
country with an appraising press giving 
editorial support, it is M-C-M which 
delivers pictures of stature to merit such 
support. 

May we be so bold as to say again: 
ALWAYS THE LEADER! 

-cCetr 




PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY BY 

ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS 


Vol. 33 Number 19 

October 1. 1938 

Member 

Audit Bureau of Circulations 


Editorial Offices: 9 rockefeller plaza, new 
york city; Publication Office: 4704 e. 9th 
ST., KANSAS CITY, MO.,' Hollywood .' 6404 HOLLY- 
WOOD blvd.; Chicago: 332 s. Michigan blvd. 



BEN SHLYEN 

Publisher 

MAURICE KANN 

Editor-in-Chief 


William G. Formby, Editor; Jesse Shlyen, 
Managing Editor; J. Harry Toler, Modern 
Theatre Editor; Joseph H. Gallagher, Gen- 
eral Manager; Ivan Spear, Western Manager. 


BIGOTRY STALKS THE BOXOFFICE 

T HIS discussion actually begins on page 5. We ask that you turn there, note the contents 
and return here. 

The pamphlet, insignificantly reduced in size, is being circulated in quantities unknown in 
the vicinity of theatres of the Middle Western belt. In the interest of complete accuracy, it must 
also be reported available data is lacking on what theatres, where located and how many. That 
information would be invaluable, of course, and the possibility is not entirely hopeless it may 
be unearthed. 

By the same token, the missing links are not necessarily vital. What is vital is that this 
piece of lying and inflammatory literature is being printed through funds mysterious as to 
source and amount. By the very printing, however, distribution, at once, becomes prima facie 
evidence. 

As this sort of rabble-rousing enterprise conducts itself, the job of running down the de- 
tractor or detractors will not be easy. Yet, it can be made easier if, by throwing a blazing 
searchlight on a thing so scurrilous, the consciousness of all those in this industry might be 
awakened. 

We view the vilification in two lights. Either is cause sufficient for indignation and, far more 
significantly, action. 

Firstly and because it is the broad approach, a democracy that fits the definition has no 
room for religious bigotry. This, of itself, is enough to precipitate the elimination of the bigotry. 
As the second part of the initial approach, the charges not only are vile, but, it is entirely 
unnecessary to point out, completely false. 

As the subsequent analysis, and he who reads may elect to put it first if he wants to, this 
circumstance constitutes a commercial stab by a stiletto inherently sharp enough and long 
enough to dessicate the vitals of the business. 

It is extremely unfortunate pieces of the picture are missing. There is no manner of know- 
ing how widespread or otherwise this baiting has gone. Also, there is no manner of knowing 
how susceptible have been those who have seen it. But definitely known is the ease by which 
the public opinion of the uninformed and the gullible may be formulated. Therein lies the 
danger. 

We ought to point out, as well, that we anticipate criticism for the course determined 
upon by BOXOFFICE. We can readily imagine there will be some, perhaps many, who would 
argue the fires are being further stirred. The answer to that is merely this: The Ku Klux Klan 
died when the New York World exposed it. The Black Legion met its eclipse when the public 
investigating arm marched in. The German- American bunds ran to cover when their activities 
were detailed in the press. 

Daylight, plenty and strong, has demonstrated itself a cleanser which poison, let loose 
from the underground, cannot withstand. 

Frankly, we have no idea what may come from all of this. We do not know what the 
organized industry will do. But it is our contention and our conviction that here is a job which 
is no one man's job, but a vigilante duty confronting a whole industry. 

This being so, any information, or scrap of information, from any source is essential. For 
this purpose, moreover, BOXOFFICE is establishing itself as a clearing house. It will under- 
take to follow the clues, by itself or in conjunction with others — and there are others. 

This publication will convert itself into a detective agency for causes such as this any time. 




DISTRIBUTORS, EN MASSE, ASSERT FORCING 
OF SHORTS WITH FEATURES IS NON-EXISTENT 

N°t a New Policy, Some Shorts-Feature Divorce Plan 

Sales Heads Declare 

in Amplification J s Retroactive, Says Rodgers 


New York — Sales managers, to a man, 
assert exhibitors are not compelled to buy 
shorts to get features. Several, however, 
make it clear theatremen are expected, and 
in some instances are required, to give 
shorts the same percentage of their play- 
ing time as they contract for features sold 
by the same distributor. 

The attitude maintains that the exhibi- 
tor whose policy provides for inclusion of 
shorts invariably contracts for his needs; 
rarely, if ever, more than that. Where 
shorts are not an established theatre 
policy sales heads say they do not require 
or expect such representation. In fact, 
some sales heads declare their position is 
not a new one. Others maintain the same 
conditional attitude taken about two years 
ago in response to inquiries from the 
MPTOA, which Boxoffice has unearthed. 

Minimize Allied “Credit” 

In light of their declared policies made 
as far back as November, 1936, sales heads 
minimize the attitude taken by Max 
Cohen, head of Allied of New York, before 
whose organization a letter from William 
F. Rodgers caused Cohen to remark Al- 
lied had secured “the first milestone in the 
elimination of abusive trade practices.” 
Rodgers’ letter said M-G-M does “not 
make it conditional that short subjects be 
leased in order to secure our feature at- 
tractions.” 

Neil F. Agnew, head of Paramount sales, 
tells Boxoffice he sees no reason for re- 
stating his company’s position relative to 
its shorts selling policy. 

“It is possible that this has never before 
been printed in the trade papers,” he said. 
“But,” he added, “Paramount’s policy is 
clear. We sell shorts wherever we can. 
Nobody is forced to buy them. Such a 
procedure has never been feasible or prac- 
tical. I believe most exhibitors make fair 
deals. We do not force them to buy shorts 
where they cannot use them.” 

On February 6, 1937, Agnew wrote the 
MPTOA on the matter of a proposal em- 


bracing “forcing excess and unwanted 
short subjects with feature picture sales:” 

“Paramount’s policy is to negotiate with 
its customers for the use of its short sub- 
jects according to its customers’ needs. 
We, of course, expect our customers, ac- 
cording to their requirements, to take at 
least the same proportion of our short sub- 
jects as they do of our features.” 

William A. Scully, Universal’s sales head, 
informs Boxoffice: “Our representatives 
are instructed to advise exhibitors as to 
the quality of our short product and to 
prevail upon them to purchase as many of 
these shorts as their requirements permit. 
We force no one to buy our shorts in order 
to buy our features.” 

Universal’s present position is unaltered 
since Nov. 6, 1936, when R. H. Cochrane, 
the then president, wrote the MPTOA: 
“Regarding the forcing of shorts with fea- 
tures, Universal has never indulged in this 
practice and I have so stated many times 
in the past.” 

From a 20th Century-Fox spokesman, in 
the absence of Herman Wobber, it was 
said the company’s position is identical as 
two years ago, when Kent wrote the 
MPTOA: 

Forcing Not 20th-Fox Policy 

“It has never been the practice of this 
company to force shorts with features. 
As a practical matter of distribution they 
are sold at the same time but under sepa- 
rate agreements. We do feel that if our 
feature product is desired by an exhibitor 
we are justified in insisting upon the same 
percentage of his short subject playing 
time as we receive of his feature playing 
time.” 

This spokesman added: “All we can do 
is repeat that policy. It is significant that 
we have cut our short subject output by 
almost 50 per cent.” 

Columbia’s position is stated in a letter 
(Continued on page 9) 


New York — M-G-M not only does not 
make it conditional for exhibitors to buy 
shorts to get its features — but the policy 
works retroactively, William F. Rodgers, 
general sales manager of the company, 
states to Boxoffice. 

The question arose over the fact his 
letter expounding the policy to Max 
Cohen, president of Allied of New York, 
was dated September 20, thereby creating 
the impression this represented the effec- 
tive date. Rodgers has, or will, send a 
copy of the letter to Cohen, or one cover- 
ing the identical ground, to every M-G-M 
district and branch manager in the 
country. 

In one instance Rodgers was commended 
for wording his letter “very shrewdly.” In 
another the M-G-M sales head was taken 
to task for “bellowing” about a course that 
all companies say they follow and which 
allegedly has been an accepted policy for 
many years. 

“Strangely enough,” a sales executive 
tells Boxoffice, “the peculiar effect of the 
Rodgers’ letter has put myself and pos- 
sibly others in a light that recently has 
become unhealthy in the eyes of the fed- 
eral government. In order to clarify our 
position — which is now a well-established 
fact — regarding the sale of shorts, I and 
other major sales heads will naturally re- 
peat our policy of long standing. This, if 
construed in the manner I hope it isn’t, 
could conceivably make the government 
believe that all conclusions regarding sales 
policies and general trade practices are 
the result of collusion among the majors.” 

Letters to MPTOA Cited 

In this connection, the record of cor- 
respondence between A1 Lichtman, then 
executive assistant to Nicholas M. Schenck, 
M-G-M president, and the MPTOA, is 
interesting. Lichtman, on Dec. 30, 1936, 
wrote: 

“It has been our desire to provide for 
balanced programs, realizing that a sub- 
stantial percentage of the theatres requires 
short subjects. We are certain that you 
desire that short subjects shall be provided 
so that the remaining theatres shall not 
be compelled to go to double features in 
order to provide an evening’s program. The 
short subjects, of course, will have to be 
supported, if produced. We have adjusted 
our short reel product to meet, not only 
the requirements of the theatres using only 
single features, but to those using double 
features as well.” 

This brought the following response 
from Ed Kuykendall, MPTOA president: 
“I am not quite sure whether I understand 
your position with respect to forcing ex- 
( Continued on page 9) 


May Extend Industry Drive 

New York — The "Motion Pictures' Greatest Year" drive may be ex- 
tended beyond its present December 31 deadline. 

While the committee, headed by George I. Schaefer, has thus far 
reached no decision, the idea is being seriously pondered and is be- 
lieved traceable to a desire to permit hundreds of subsequent runs 
which are not now in the running an opportunity to play some, if not 
many, of the pictures eligible in the Movie Quiz contest. 

The extension, if made, would run an additional month and, 
perhaps, two. 


4 


BOXOFFICE 


October 1, 1938 


POISON GUNS ARE BARKING 


BUY 

GENTILE 


EMPLOY 

GENTILE 


VOTE 

GENTILE 


HOLLYWOOD is the Sodom and Gomorrha 

WHERE 

INTERNATIONAL JEWRY 

CONTROLS 

VICE - DOPE - GAMBLING 

wh ere 

YOUNG GENTILE GIRLS ARE RAPED 
b Y 

IEWISH PRODUCERS, DIRECTORS, CASTING DIRECTORS 
WHO GO UNPUNISHED 


THE IEWISH HOLLYWOOD ANTI-NAZI LEAGUE CONTROLS 

COMMUNISM 

IN THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY 


STARS, WRITERS AND ARTISTS ARE COMPELLED TO PAY FOR COMMUNISTIC 

ACTIVITIES 


Reproduction, slightly reduced, ol a pamphlet discovered in circulation in the vicinity of theatres in 
the Middle West. See page 3 for "Bigotry Stalks the Boxoffice," an Editorial. 




BOXOFFICE : : October 1, 1938 


5 






Published Every Saturday by 

ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS 

Editorial Offices: 9 Rockefeller Plaza, New 
York City. J. H. Gallagher, General Man- 
ager. Wm. Ornstein, Eastern editor. Tele- 
phone Columbus 5-6370, 5-6371, 5-6372. 
Cable address: “Boxoffice, New York.” 
Western Offices: 6404 Hollywood Blvd., 
Hollywood, Calif. Ivan Spear, Manager. 
Telephone Gladstone 1186. 

Publication Offices: 4704 E. 9th St., Kan- 
sas City, Mo. Telephone Chestnut 7777. 
Other Associated Publications: Boxoffice 
BAROMETER, published annually; Box- 
office PICTURE GUIDE; THE MODERN 
THEATRE, published monthly as a sec- 
tion of Boxoffice. 

ALBANY — City Savings Bank Bg., B. G. Herman. 
ATLANTA — 148% Walton St., N. W., Lee Fuhrman, 
Southeastern editor. Telephone Walnut 7171. 
BOSTON — 14 Piedmont St., Brad Angier, New 
England editor. Telephone Liberty 9305. 
BUFFALO — The Courier-Express, W. E. J. Martin. 
CHARLOTTE — The Observer, Mary B. Parham. 
CHICAGO — 332 S. Michigan Ave., Eugene D. Rich, 
Central editor. Telephone Wabash 4575. 
CINCINNATI — 127 Tremont St., Ft. Thomas, ICy., 
Clara Hyde. Telephone Highland 1057. 
CLEVELAND — 12805 Cedar Road, Cleveland 
Heights, Elsie Loeb. Telephone Fairmount 0046. 
DALLAS — 210 S. Harwood, V. W. Crisp, South- 
western editor. Telephone 7-3553. 

DENVER — 1020 Clarkson St., J. A. Rose. 

DES MOINES — 2050 Capitol St., Rene McClusky. 
DETROIT — 424 Book Bldg., H. F. Reves. Tele- 
phone Cadillac 9085. 

HOLLYWOOD — 6404 Hollywood Blvd., Ivan Spear, 
Western editor. Telephone GLadstone 1180. 
INDIANAPOLIS — Route 5, Box 271, Howard N. 

Rudeaux. Telephone Drexel 3339. 

KANSAS CITY — 4704 East Ninth St., Jesse Shlyen, 
Midwest editor. Telephone CHestnut 7777. 
LITTLE ROCK — P. O. Box 253, Lynn Hubbard. 
Telephone 3-0156. 

MEMPHIS — Commercial Appeal, Annie Mae Day. 
MILWAUKEE — 210 East Michigan St., H. C. 

Brunner. Telephone Kilbourn 6670-J. 
MINNEAPOLIS — 507 Essex Bldg., Maurice Wolff. 
NEW HAVEN — 42 Church St., Suite 915, Gertrude 
Pearson. Telephone 6-4149. 

NEW ORLEANS— 1509 Bodenger Blvd., J. W. 

Leigh. Telephone Algiers 1495. 

NEW YORK CITY — 9 Rockefeller Plaza, William 
Ornstein, Eastern editor. Telephone Columbus 
5-6370, 5-6371, 5-6372. 

OKLAHOMA CITY — P. O. Box 4547, E. W. Fair. 
Telephone 7-1038. 

OMAHA — 4677 Marcy St., Monte Davis. 
PHILADELPHIA— Philadelphia Record, Broad & 
Wood Sts., Si Shaltz. 

PITTSBURGH — 1701 Blvd. of the Allies, R. F. 

Klingensmith. Telephone Atlantic 4858. 
PORTLAND, ORE. — The News-Telegram, D. W. 
Polivka. 

ST. LOUIS — 5149 Rosa Ave., David F. Barrett. 
Telephone Flanders 3727. 

SALT LAKE CITY— 605 Utah Savings & Trust 
Bldg., Viola B. Hutton. Telephone Hyland 4359. 
SAN FRANCISCO— 5 Kimball Place. Phil Stone. 
SEATTLE — 2417 Second Ave., Joe Cooper. Tele- 
phone Elliott 8678. 

WASHINGTON — 1426 G. St., Earle A. Dyer. 

IN CANADA 

CALGARY, ALBERTA — The Albertan, William 
Campbell. 

EDMONTON, ALBERTA — The Bulletin, W. A. 
DeGraves. 

HAMILTON, ONTARIO — 20 Holton Ave., North, 
Hugh Millar. 

LONDON, ONTARIO — London Free Press, Charles 
E. Carruthers. 

MONTREAL, QUEBEC — 4330 Wilson Ave., N. D. 

G.. Roy Carmichael. Telephone Walnut 5519. 
OTTAWA, ONTARIO— 1146 Bank St., Milton Gal- 
braith. 

REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN— The Star, Andy 
McDermott. 

ST. JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK— 34 Cranston Ave., 
Stuart Trueman. 

TORONTO. ONTARIO — 16 Buller Ave., Walter G. 

Fessey. Telephone Howard 0158. 

VANCOUVER, B. C.— 615 Hastings St., C. P. 
Rutty. 

VICTORIA, B. C.— -350 Robertson St., Tom Merri- 
man. 

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA — 709 Selkirk Ave., Ben 
Lepkin. 




I T'S A CASE of more than appears 
on the surface. And there's 
plenty now on the surface. 

When Allied of New York learned 
by letter from William F. Rodgers, 
general sales manager of Metro, 
that exhibitors did not have to buy 
shorts to get features, the hubbub 
that followed at the Hotel Astor de- 
veloped into a considerable affair. 

Either it was the first time any 
major distributor had made his pol- 
icy clear, or this department is com- 
pletely misinformed. In the doing, 
Rodgers, however, took no drastic 
step. Neither did he publicly sound 
a new and at all startling departure 
for his company. Actually, what he 
did, and all that he did, was to set 
forth for the record which until now 
has never had it an exposition of a 
plan long in effect at M-G-M. 

In the news columns, for that is 
where it belongs, you may find spe- 
cifically more about the develop- 
ment. Here, the idea is to sneak up 
on it somewhat differently and to 
endeavor to point out without undue 
stress on reading time the impact 
and what it denotes. 

The forcing of shorts sales with 
features is a long-standing exhibitor 
complaint. Showmen have been 
beefing about it for years. The prac- 
tice is included in Ed Kuykendall's 
rapidly-ageing ten point program. 



Looking for "Red" 


Atlanta — A man known only as “Red” 
this week shot up the Lincoln Theatre, 
colored house at 405 Whitehill St., with 
firecrackers while the “Law of the Plains” 
was being shown — and then took the law 
into his own hands and the gun away 
from a city detective sent to quell the dis- 
turbance. 

Witnesses said “Red” was sitting in the 
balcony, peaceably enough, when he left 
his seat and began to toss firecrackers into 
the projection booth. The show went on, 
but the operator in the booth found him- 
self living in a reality that the film did 
not convey. 

The manager called police. When the 
detective arrived, “Red” grappled with the 
law, took away his service pistol, pushed 
him down a short flight of stairs and ran 
out of the building. 

The detective is seeking “Red.” 


We hate firecrackers. 

We distrust guns. 

We don't push people down stairs. 

We don't run, we walk because 
the fire commissioner always urges 
that. Besides, it must be another 
guy. We can prove we were in New 
York all of last week. 


To regard it as No. 1 Public Enemy 
in theatremen's eyes, at the same 
time, would be going exceedingly 
(Continued on page 21) 


LETTERS FROM OUR READERS 


HE WANTS TO KNOW 

New York — I am an exhibitor in the 
metropolitan area, operating a 750-seat 
“grind house.” My opposition consists of 
a couple of affiliated circuit theatres and 
a couple of independent circuit houses. 
( Needless to say, I am last run in the zone) . 
I give you this background so that you 
might better appreciate my dilemma. 

I have been reading with a great deal 
of interest all the material your publica- 
tion has printed on the government mo- 
nopoly suit against the producers and dis- 
tributors. I have even read the digest 
of the petition filed by the government 
and have tried to glean as much from it 
as is possible for a layman to under- 
stand. 

With due deference to your publication 
and the capable manner in which it has 
presented all the available fact and opin- 
ion, I fail to see where I, the independ- 


ent exhibitor, whom “all the shootin’s for,” 
will benefit. Assuming that the govern- 
ment is successful in breaking up what it 
considers a monopoly, exactly what do 
I gain? My affiliated circuit competitor 
will be compelled to divest itself of its 
theatres by the process of selling or leas- 
ing them to some independent. In all 
likelihood, my independent circuit com- 
petitor will be the logical buyer as he has 
the money and backing with which to 
negotiate such a deal. If that happens, 
then, where am I benefited? 

The government has won its suit; my 
■producer-distributor competitor has dis- 
posed of its theatres to my independent 
circuit competitor; the latter now operates 
all four opposition theatres in my zone. 
Will I be able to get pictures any earlier 
and will I be able to buy them any cheap- 
er? I fear that I cannot quite see any 
(Continued on page 21) 


The Editors welcome letters from readers on picture reports or other 
trade topics. All letters must be signed. Identity withheld on request. 


6 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 




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DETAILS, MAJOR AND MINOR, ENCOMPASSED IN 
GOV'T CHECK INTO TRADE ASS'N ACTIVITIES 


Hays Groups and Perhaps 
Exhibitors Units Are 
Included 


Distributors Assert Enforced 

Shorts Sales Do Not Prevail 


By EARLE A. DYER 

Washington — Trade associations are re- 
quired to divulge their innermost workings 
for ultimate scanning by the administra- 
tion monopoly committee, the question- 
naire prepared by the department of com- 
merce, as agent for the monopoly invest- 
igation, reveals. Copies are on their way 
to 2,300 trade groups throughout the 
country. The MPPDA in New York, and 
the M. P. Producers’ Ass’n in Hollywood 
obviously are included and probably the 
MPTOA, Allied and various state exhibitor 
groups as well. 

The inquiry continues to be described 
here as a “fact finding” study without 
connection with the department of justice 
activities in this or any other industry. 

Seeks Affiliation Data 

The questionnaire seeks to ascertain 
affiliations with other groups, whether 
national or state, and asks a definition 
of “the industry or group which this as- 
sociation represents.” It asks what per- 
centage of total income “during the last 
complete fiscal year came from its four 
largest contributors,” to what extent are 
the results of the association’s work avail- 
able to non-members, to what extent non- 
members are permitted to participate in 
the activities and then qualifies this latter 
question with a “be specific.” 

In Section 5, devoted to “Finance,” dues 
and assessments and total income for 1929, 
1932, 1935 and the last fiscal year are 
sought. Wages and salaries, rent and 
travel expenses for a like period are en- 
compassed. Question 29 reads: “Describe 
the present system of regular dues and as- 
sessments used for the various classes of 
membership; state minimum and maxi- 
mum actually received for each class.” 
It further elicits information on special 
assessments levied during the last com- 
pleted fiscal year. 

Wants Litigation Record 

Section 6, labeled “General Information,” 
inquires “the legal experiences of this as- 
sociation since 1920 pertaining to federal 
and state anti-trust laws, including not 
only formal government actions (federal 
and state) but all informal investigations 
of and civil suits against this associa- 
tion.” 

In propounding Question 32 the forward 
states, “The following four questions are 
asked with the expectation that the trade 
association executive will use his best per- 
sonal judgment in his replies.” The ques- 
tions : 

“What do you feel have been the signifi- 
cant contributions of this trade association 


(Continued from page 4) 
from Abe Montague, as follows: “In an- 
swer to your request as to how Columbia 
stands relative to selling short subjects, I 
believe I can best express Columbia’s posi- 
tion as regards this subject by quoting a 
letter I sent to Ed Kuykendall of the 
MPTOA, dated Jan. 29, 1937: 

“ ‘It has never been the intention or 
the practice of this company to “force” 
shorts with features, as the expression is 
commonly used by exhibitors. Because of 
economic operation, it is absolutely neces- 
sary to license short subjects at the same 
time that features are licensed. The num- 
ber of short subjects licensed by an ex- 
hibitor becomes a part of the individual 
sale and we believe that where we do 
license features we should have an equal 
opportunity to license the account a rea- 
sonable number of short subjects propor- 
tionate to the number of features we sup- 
ply as against the exhibitor’s total feature 
requirements. This was my suggestion at 
the time of the NRA discussion at Wash- 
ington and I still believe it the most equit- 
able manner of handling the matter of 
short subject sales.’ 

“It has been, as stated above, Columbia’s 
policy to sell its accounts always keeping 
in mind what can truthfully be described 
as fair trade practices, and at no time will 
it be Columbia’s policy to insist on an ac- 
count buying short subjects if the particu- 
lar account in question does not use short 
subjects as a part of the regular program.” 

Cites UA Status 

George J. Schaefer, UA’s sales head, has 
this to say: “We haven’t got 50 or 60 fea- 
tures or 102 shorts. The sale of features 
has nothing to do with shorts here.” 

On Dec. 4, 1936, Schaefer wrote the 
MPTOA: “Our corporation does not dis- 
tribute a large number of shorts. We only 
have the Disney cartoons and these are 
sold separate and distinct and are not 
made a part of our 'feature sale.” 

Vitagraph, distributor arm for Warner, 


to your industry?” 

“Under existing law, what other impor- 
tant contributions do you feel are possible 
in the future?” 

“If there were no legal limitations or 
area of doubt, what additional activity or 
activities would you endeavor to develop 
with the expectation that they would sig- 
nificantly benefit your membership?” 

“What activities engaged in by some as- 
sociations do you feel are contrary to the 
public interest? (Association names un- 
necessary) .” 

In addition, each trade association is re- 


takes the position offered by President 
Gradwell L. Sears: “We are a selling or- 
ganization and we sell what our studios, 
west and east, produce.” 

Warner made no committment on the 
MPTOA proposal of two year’s standing, 
the only company unaccounted for. 

RKO’s position was contained in a let- 
ter by Ned E. Depinet, president, who, on 
Jan. 7, 1937, wrote: “Short subjects we re- 
gard as an important part of an exhibi- 
tor’s program. With this in view we are 
producing and are distributing for other 
producers short product of outstanding 
quality and merit. We believe that this 
product is entitled to a reasonable part of 
the exhibitors’ playing time. We feel that 
we must strive to obtain such fair repre- 
sentation among our customers.” 

Grand National, with a large lineup of 
one and two reelers for release in about a 
month, under no circumstances will make 
it conditional that shorts be bought to 
obtain features, according to Earle W. 
Hammons, president. 

“We will have special salesmen for 
shorts,” he states. “I never have believed 
in forcing shorts; it never has been a 
sound policy. Shorts and features will both 
stand on their own merits here.” 

Metro's Shorts -Feature 
Divorce Is Retroactive 

(Continued from page 4) 
cess shorts with features. If you mean 
that your company, as a matter of policy, 
will not require an exhibitor to license 
more short subjects than would reasonably 
be required to fill out the program at his 
theatre with the feature pictures licensed 
from Metro, then your statement is per- 
fectly satisfactory.” 

On March 1, 1937, Lichtman replied to 
Kuykendall: “Your understanding of our 
last paragraph in regard to shorts is as 
we intended.” 


quested to furnish its latest letterhead, a 
copy of its constitution and bylaws, copies 
of its last financial statement, publications 
distributed to members, including samples 
of the association’s mimeographed news 
letters, bulletins, etc. Likewise, copies of 
the last four annual reports, including re- 
ports of the president, secretary and treas- 
urer, the proceedings of the last four an- 
nual meetings, list of members and “any 
additional material which you believe 
would be helpful to an understanding of 
activities of this association.” 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


9 






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REGULAR "FLESH" POLICY IN ONLY 21 MAJOR 
CIRCUIT HOUSES; NO NATIONAL TREND SEEN 


Important Film "Names" 
Demanded; Price Is 
Termed High 

New York — Only 21 theatres of the five 
major circuits either have vaudeville or 
stage shows on regular policy and there 
is no general movement on foot to in- 
crease “flesh” entertainment to propor- 
tions indicating a national renaissance, a 
checkup by Boxoffice reveals. There are 
plans for adding 10 houses to the current 
number, but only one theatre is definite 
at this time. It is the Shubert in Cin- 
cinnati which begins a vaudeville policy 
November 4. 

Houses showing stage presentations, 
bands or vaudeville occasionally total 31 
in the major circuit lineup. National The- 
atres have 10 in this division, RKO, seven; 
Paramount, 10; and Warner, four. On 
steady policies. National has three, RKO. 
four with three more pending, including 
the Cincinnati unit; Loew’s, three; Para- 
mount, three with plans in the air for 
inaugurating the idea in an Atlanta the- 
atre; Warner, eight, with six additional 
theatres likely to adopt vaudeville in the 
next few weeks. 

Important film names are desired above 
everything else by the circuits, it is stated. 
Some bookers look upon band and orches- 
tra personalities with great favor, but 
these are usually dated on a “catch-as- 
catch-can” basis. Most band and orches- 
tra leaders tour the country regularly and 
are spotted into circuit theatres as fill-in 
bookings. 

A Few Road Companies 

Paramount and National Theatres have 
on recent occasions lined up road com- 
panies of Broadway shows, either for one 
or two days or full weeks where theatres 
permit. Onetime film “names” have been 
offered to circuit bookers, but in most in- 
stances they mean very little, it is said, 
because the trend of popularity has passed 
them. 

Another serious matter which confronts 
bookers is agents’ demands on behalf of 
film stars and band names. The prices 
for playing cities other than New York 
and Chicago are generally viewed as out of 
proportion to the grossing power of the 
key city theatres. Nevertheless, stars 
and band personalities have been in the 
habit of asking the same terms as they 
receive for Broadway or Loop engagements. 
Sometimes these demands are overcome by 
giving the acts a percentage of the gross 
from the first dollar. Otherwise, flat de- 
mands are reduced to meet the individual 
theatre ability to pay. 

Negotiations are reported under way in 
Detroit for four theatres to reinstate 
vaudeville and stage presentations. Lo- 
cally, independent exhibitors do not look 


UA List Cut 
Down to 25 

New York — UA salesmen are now selling 
25 features instead of the 30 scheduled 
originally at the regional sales meetings. 
Samuel Goldwyn, who had planned five 
several months ago, will make four. David 
O. Selznick will deliver only two and, 
although his contract provides he has the 
option of making an extra two, the pro- 
ducer will devote all his time to produc- 
ing “Gone With the Wind” after he fin- 
ishes the second. 

A change in Hal E. Roach’s plans also 
has been made since the sales sessions. 
Promising to make four Laurel and Hardys 
originally, the producer ran into difficul- 
ties with Stan Laurel and instead teamed 
Harry Langdon with Oliver Hardy. In- 
stead of four four-reelers, Roach will make 
two full-length features with the new 
team. He will deliver four other features. 


upon “flesh” specialties as helpful at the 
boxoffice and, with probably one or two 
exceptions, there is no vaudeville in Great- 
er New York houses. Union demands 
stymied the Brandt Bros, intention of in- 
stalling vaudeville in four to 12 units. 

Si Fabian recently adopted a policy of 
stock shows six days a week at the Har- 
manus Bleecker Hall in Albany. On Sun- 
days, he books bands. The only Feiber & 
Shea house regularly featuring vaudeville 
is the Auditorium, Newark, Ohio. Occa- 
sionally, when a spot act or show comes 
along, bookers find openings at the Weller, 
Zanesville, Ohio; Union, North Philadel- 
phia, Ohio; State, Cambridge, Ohio; Pal- 
ace, Ashtabula, Ohio, and the Strand, 
Manchester, N. H. About 15 shows a year 
play the Zanesville and North Philadel- 
phia theatres while in Cambridge the fig- 
ure runs to 10. In Ashtabula the total runs 
to about eight, while at Manchester acts 
are booked Saturdays and Sundays as they 
are available. 

Three in National Circuit 

The three National Theatres’ units fea- 
turing stage and film shows on a consistent 
policy are the Denver, Denver; Tower, 
Kansas City, and the Palace, Milwaukee. 
Two- day bookings are the rule at the 
Orpheum, Green Bay, and Orpheum, Madi- 
son, Wis. Single day attractions are the 
rule at the Jayhawk, Topeka; Orpheum, 
Wichita; Fox, Hutchinson; Fox, Salina, in 
Kansas; the Wausau, Wausau, and Fond 
du Lac, Fond du Lac, in Wisconsin; the 
Braumary, Iron Mountain, Mich., and 
Lincoln, Cheyenne, Wyo. 

Glen Gray and his Casa Loma orches- 


While Plans Include Ten 
More, Only One Is 
Now Definite 

tra open for a two-day engagement, Octo- 
ber 4, at the Orpheum, Wichita, and then 
go into the Tower, Kansas City, for the 
week of October 7. Veloz & Yolanda, the 
dance team, begin a week’s engagement 
October 7 at the Palace, Milwaukee, then 
go into the Orpheum, Madison, October 
14-15, and finally into the Tower, Kansas 
City, for the week of October 21. Benny 
Goodman, who broke the Tower, Kansas 
City, house record two weeks ago, on Oc- 
tober 14 starts at the Palace, Milwaukee, 
for a week. Gene Krupa and his or- 
chestra follow into this house for a seven- 
day engagement. Orin Tucker and his 
music makers open at the Tower, Kansas 
City, the week of October 14. 

RKO's full week stands are the Palace, 
Cleveland; Palace, Chicago, where Bert 
Wheeler and his act are current; Golden 
Gate, San Francisco; Colonial, Dayton, and 
then the Shubert, Cincinnati, starting 
November 4. Pending are the Proctor’s, 
Troy, and Proctor’s, Schenectady, N. Y. 
Occasional bookings are available at the 
Palace, Columbus; Orpheum, Minneapolis; 
Orpheum, St. Paul; Albee, Providence; 
Iowa, Cedar Rapids; Orpheum, Sioux City; 
and the Orpheum, Davenport. 

The Loew triumvirate includes the State 
on Broadway; Capitol, Washington, and 
the Century, Baltimore. In the latter 
theatre one or two acts augment the 40- 
piece orchestra, which is the feature at- 
traction. The policy was recently inaugu- 
rated. 

Spot Booking Units 

Regular stage show houses in the Para- 
mount circuit are the Paramount, on 
Broadway in New York; Capitol, Atlanta, 
and the Chicago, Chicago. Detroit has 
not had many shows this year because of 
unsettled conditions but, if things pick 
up, the policy may be set in again on a 
week-to-week plan. 

Theatres spotting booking acts and bands 
and legitimate shows include the New- 
man, Kansas City; Majestic, Dallas; Ma- 
jestic, Houston; Buffalo, Buffalo; Majes- 
tic, San Antonio; Worth, Fort Worth; Car- 
olina, Charlotte; Orpheum, Omaha; Utah, 
Salt Lake City; and Paramount, Spring- 
field, Mass. 

In the Warner setup, the Astor, Read- 
ing, and Queen, Wilmington, are on split 
weeks. The Fox, Philadelphia; Earle, Phil- 
adelphia; Earle, Washington; Strand, New 
York; Strand, Brooklyn; Stanley, Pitts- 
burgh, are all year round users of bands 
and vaudeville. Occasionally the Mans- 
field, Lima and Steubenville units in Ohio 
will feature “flesh.” The circuit’s Cam- 
den, N. J., house also is in this category. 


12 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


FBI WILL SCODR KEY CITIES IN CHECK-DP 
ON INDEPENDENT PLAINTS AGAINST MAJORS 


Seeks "Coercive Tactics" 
Where Coupled With 
Building Threats 


New Washington Parleys Due; 
Theatre Stand Is Unchanged 


New York — A thorough checkup on in- 
dependent exhibitor complaints against 
major distributors and affiliated circuits 
will get under way in key cities in the next 
few days, Boxoffice learns. FBI men are 
understood to have left Washington over 
the weekend for various parts of the coun- 
try where complaints have been received 
by the department of justice. 

Theatre owners who have sent letters to 
the justice department have been in- 
formed to be prepared to meet federal in- 
vestigators assigned to make a complete 
study of alleged abuses on part of cir- 
cuits and distributors. The department 
is only after valid complaints to which ex- 
hibitors will sign affidavits. 

Primarily, FBI men will seek factual in- 
formation regarding operating agreements 
by major companies and independent cir- 
cuits where “coercive tactics” have been 
coupled with threats to build and also 
conditions making operation difficult or 
impossible, such as an exhibitor’s inabil- 
ity to secure sufficient product or to 
lighten unreasonable clearance and zoning. 

May Probe Prefect Plaint 

In addition to checking with local Al- 
lied interests here, FBI men will most like- 
ly visit Bill Brown and Clarence D. Loewe 
of Prefect Theatres in regard to their com- 
plaint against Skouras protection at Port 
Chester. The Prefect house involved is in 
Greenwich and has to wait from 60 to 120 
days after Port Chester, which is served by 
New York exchanges while Greenwich is 
handled out of New Haven. 

Three major companies are reportedly 
involved in a complaint by an independent 
exhibitor in these parts and which only 
came to light a few days ago. The charges 
are being turned over directly to the FBI 
agents. 

In one instance, a salesman is said to 
have approached a real estate man to 
build in the exhibitor’s town because he 
was unable to get together on a deal. In 
the second instance, another salesman is 
alleged to have demanded a big increase 
in rentals, having received higher terms in 
previous years. The salesman presumably 
threatened to give a five-year franchise 
to a theatre builder who would go into the 
town which already has a closed theatre 
and which the community probably can- 
not support. A third film company’s 
representative was told by the theatre 
owner there was no room for his product. 
The salesman, it is said, approached an- 
other circuit operator either to rebuild the 
dark house or invade the town with a new 
project. 

Peculiarly enough, the home offices of 
the three companies are said to have been 
informed of the threats by their repre- 


On Anti-Trust Cases 



— Metropolitan Photos 

William Savage of RKO, Leonard 
Picker of Schwartz and Frohlich and 
Louis Phillips of Paramount — lawyers 
all — who have been checking into Al- 
lied's anti-trust suit against the 
B&K and the majors in Chicago. The 
Gary case is another. 


sentatives and no action has been taken 
by any of them, it is alleged. 

While it is believed some complaints 
cannot be settled unless brought to the 
attention of the department of justice, 
certain Allied leaders are understood en- 
deavoring to amicably adjust unfair situ- 
ations when brought to their attention by 
members. That a number have been dis- 
posed of in this manner is well known, 
particularly two cases in New Jersey and 
at least a handful in New York. Only the 
other day, Sidney Samuelson, former 
head of Allied of New Jersey, met with Joe 
Bernhard and Don Jacocks on a matter 
concerning a small operator across the 
Hudson. Samuelson naturally would not 
discuss the problem, declaring it interested 
only four parties, it was “private and per- 
sonal” and not for the industry at large. 


RKO in Algiers 

Paris — RKO has opened an office at 
Algiers with Maurice Grima in charge. 
Paris will supervise. 


New York — Returning from Washing- 
ton after a meeting with Thurman Ar- 
nold and Paul Williams, counsel for major 
companies declined to discuss what oc- 
curred. One attorney, however, told Box- 
office there was no agreement not to 
talk, but that he felt any statement to be 
made should come from the department 
of justice. 

Further talks are scheduled, it is 
learned. At the first session, attorneys 
discussed a clarification of various phases 
of the government’s stand in the anti- 
trust suit. At the same time, legal heads 
are understood to have informed Arnold 
and Williams they are not in accord with 
the government on precluding further 
theatre expansion. 

Another attorney stated it is too early 
to tell at this time whether another ad- 
journment beyond November 1 will be 
sought. The indication now is that the 
answers will be ready on the agreed date. 

Among those who conferred with the 
government men were Col. William Dono- 
van and William Mallard, representing 
RKO; Austin C. Keough and Former Judge 
Thomas D. Thacher, for Paramount; J. 
Robert Rubin, for Loew’s; Robert W. Per- 
kins, for Warner; Ralph Harris and John 
Kaskey, for 20th-Fox. Legal representa- 
tives for UA, Universal and Columbia did 
not attend. These companies do not have 
theatre interests and, with the exception 
of Universal, have not participated in the 
Hays meetings on the suit. 

Department of justice officials, after 
the conclave, said “there will be further 
meetings” with film counsel in an effort 
to settle the suit. Except for revealing the 
names of the men attending, the govern- 
ment spokesman would not leave himself 
open to questions on the topics aired. 

Want Final Definition 

Film and theatre interests are far from 
amenable to a settlement of the suit and 
are understood anxious to have the courts 
determine once and for all the legal status 
of the conduct of the business. If any 
agreement were to be reached with the 
government, it is said, this would put the 
department of justice and the anti-trust 
division in the position of holding the whip 
over the industry. 

Legal minds state that to condescend to 
any agreement not to expand theatre 
holdings would seriously jeopardize the 
major circuits’ future as well as stymye 
natural developments which should take 
place in the ordinary course of any busi- 
ness. Further, it is said, proof can be 
given that many of the charges of the 
government can be proved to have no 
(Continued on page 20-B) 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 E 


13 


Actual Impetus of 
Drive Not Yet Felt 

New York — Actual effect of the industry 
drive has not yet been felt, according to a 
number of major and independent circuit 
operators contacted by Boxoffice. De- 
spite statements that business has jumped 
30 per cent since the drive started theatre 
operators, the men who run theatres in all 
sections of the country, variously view the 
situation. 

All theatremen hold the lapse in news- 
paper advertising since the first series 
broke is partially responsible for a lacka- 
daisical attitude on part of some of the 
public. With some circuits, natural sea- 
sonal upswings have taken place, but not 
to an extent where a noticeable rise can 
be attributed to the Movie Quiz contest. 
Some exhibitors declare the demand for 
books has diminished to a point where it 
will be unnecessary to re-order. 

Generally speaking, there is unanimity 
of opinion that the picture is the thing. 
During the past few weeks, exhibitors have 
been banking on “Alexander’s Ragtime 
Band,” “Four Daughters,” “My Lucky 
Star” and “Love Finds Andy Hardy” and 
the returns are very favorable. 

One circuit operator said his business 
was behind last year, another said the 
theatres in his string were on a par with 
last season and others contend “it is pre- 
mature for anything concrete at this 
time.” 

Newspapers are showing attitude in co- 
operating, according to results from many 
large and small cities. Parades, proclama- 
tions, special stunts continue on all fronts. 

With a new series of newspaper ads 
about to break, theatre heads are expect- 
ing a revived interest in the drive. How- 
ever, exhibitors maintain, a consistent 
campaign in newspapers is required to keep 
the public pulse alive to what is going on. 

Demand for exhibit posters on the 
growth of the film business is encouraging 
to the committee. 


Philadelphia — Gov. George H. Earle is- 
sued a proclamation on Wednesday call- 
ing upon Pennsylvania theatre patrons to 
join in the Motion Pictures’ Greatest Year 
campaign. 

On September 1, Mayor S. Davis Wil- 
son of this city issued a like proclamation. 


The second phase of the industry drive’s 
nationwide newspaper campaign gets un- 
der way, Tuesday, when six advertise- 
ments devoted exclusively to the $250,000 
Movie Quiz contests break in this country 
and Canada. The original newspaper cam- 
paign to herald Motion Pictures’ Greatest 
Year was of an institutional nature. 

The new series will run on October 4, 5 
and 6. They will be concentrated in cities 
and towns where theatres are pledged to 
the drive. This, in particular consideration 
of those subsequent runs that are only 
now beginning to show quiz pictures. 

The ads run from three to four columns, 
and from 450 to 700 lines. One ad will ap- 
pear in each paper, the six following for 


From New Series of Drive Ads 



Here's your chance to See a Movie, Play a Game and Win a 



in this Exciting, Fun-packed, FREE Prize Contest offering 



in Cash Awards including a First Prize of $50,000.00 
and 5403 other cash prizes. ANYONE CAN WIN THE 


MOVIE QUIZ 

Contest. It’s EASY, it’s FUN, it’s FREE- no box tops or 
labels- nothing to buy. Get Contest Booklet at local theatre 

32-Page Movie Quiz Contest 
Booklet contains complete in- 
formation about the $250,000 
Movie Quiz Cash Prize Con- 
test PLUS all the news of forth- 
coming hits — pictures of your 
favorite stars — a contest entry 
blank. Just ask for it — IT’S 
FREE — at your local theatre. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE-Due to the fact that the Movie Quiz Contest booklets were printed 
before final details regarding certain pictures were known, they contain five unavoidable errors. 

Therefore the contest judges have agreed that no matter which answer is submitted by a contestant 
in connection with the pictures ''GATEWAY ', "THE TEXANS", "THE CROWD ROARS", 

"GIRLS ON PARADE" and "GIVE ME A SAILOR", all answers will be accepted as correct. Just 
check any one of the answers listed for each of these pictures, state the name of the theatre where 
you saw it and your answer will count as a perfect score for that particular picture. 


MOTION PICTURES ARE YOUR BEST ENTERTAINMENT 




the placing of different copy in towns 
which have more than one newspaper . 

Ad slogans read: “A Fortune Awaits You 
— See a Movie, Play a Game, Win Big 
Money;” ‘‘Pleasure — Treasure — $250,000 ; ” 


“ There’s Still Time to Enter This Easy, 
Fun-Packed Free Contest;” ‘‘Everybody — 
Fortune — $250,000 — Movie Quiz — Free;” 
“ Enter the Movie Quiz Today . . . Nothing 
to Buy — It’s Easy — It’s Fun — It’s Free.” 


14 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 





RKO REORGANIZATION PLAN BEING SPEEDED 
FOR 77B WASHUP BY THE END OF THE YEAR 


Consideration Given To 
Debenture Holders 
Argument 


New York — Minor changes in the 
amended reorganization plan by Federal 
Judge William O. Bondy and emergence 
by RKO from 77B by the end of the year, 
were indicated over the weekend as hear- 
ings resume Monday on the fairness and 
feasibility of the plan. After listening- 
all day Thursday to pros and cons of the 
amended plan approved by Special Mas- 
ter George W. Alger, Judge Bondy ad- 
journed the hearing until Monday morn- 
ing for the windup. 

During the initial hearing, the court 
intimated that certain arguments pre- 
sented by counsel for debenture holders, 
secured creditors and stockholders should 
be taken into consideration before the 
plan was finally passed upon by him. 

H. C. Rickaby, counsel for Atlas Co., 
one of the proponents of the new plan, 
asked for confirmation of Alger’s amend- 
ed report and also confirmation of the re- 
organization formula. He informed the 
court that only 25 shares had withdrawn 
consents to the plan and also one deben- 
ture holder who was replaced by another. 
He also stated 80 per cent of consents by 
secured claims had been filed. 

Urges Chandler Act Rein 

H. William Ihrig, representing Ernest 
W. Stirn of Milwaukee, gave a lengthy dis- 
sertation why the Chandler Act, which 
went into effect September 22, should ap- 
ply. He asked that the approval of the 
plan be indefinitely postponed, that the 
trustee, Irving Trust Co. be directed to 
draft a new plan and that SEC be in- 
vited into the matter. His contention was 
that Rickaby had made no provisions as 
set forth by the Chandler Act. 

Judge Bondy took exception to Ihrig’s 
request for the SEC entering, stating he 
did not need an administrative organiza- 
tion to interpret the law for him and that 
he regarded Alger’s legal ability to be 
“extraordinary.” Judge Bondy further 
added he did not have as much confi- 
dence in SEC as he had in the special 
master. 

Rickaby also defended Alger’s report. 
He declared, “We’ve been here five years. 
Why take another year because the real 
people to suffer will be the stockholders. 
If the plan is held up another year,” he 
asserted, “it would probably wipe out the 
stockholders.” 

ferry Levine, counsel for Laura L. Albee, 
asked for a clarification of his client’s 
claims and was assured this would be 
worked out after the plan was approved. 

Nathan Rosenberg, representing Cas- 
sell & Co., went into lengthy arguments 
why bondholders were not being given 
adequate consideration. He spent con- 


He Still Insists on 
The $2 

New York — Home office executives of 
a major circuit are getting a laugh from 
the demands from one of their em- 
ployes in the middle west. He is a 
sound engineer in charge of a group 
of theatres and wants $2 increase or 
threatens to go out on strike. 

The kick of the story develops when 
the home office learned the employe 
earns $56 a week, is head of the union 
in his town and also owns an oil well 
which nets him $400 a week. 


siderable time parrying with Judge Bondy 
and presented a 100-page printed brief. To 
which the judge replied if everyone did 
the same thing “he wondered how long 
he would live.” 

In essence, Rosenberg argued the de- 
bentures were owned by large groups 
which controlled the voting power which 
may prove prejudicial to the smaller de- 
benture groups. He also said the deben- 
ture holders’ equitable position would be 
reduced by the conversion of stock and 
that, if the dividend were passed for a con- 
secutive period, the preferred could elect 
one third of the board, which virtually 
means nothing. Rosenberg ended by say- 
ing the plan was not fair and can be 
worked out, to which Judge Bondy re- 
sponded: “You’ve had five years to work 
it out.” 

David Stock, representing a group of 
bondholders in the same class with Rosen- 
berg, attacked the plan stating the secured 
position of debenture holders was being 
taken away from them. He also took is- 
sue with the stock dividend clause and also 
the right of the board to give stock op- 
tions at no listed price. 

Seek Lease Guarantor 

C. Frank Reavis, attorney for landlords 
who leased theatres to Proctor in Al- 
bany and Schenectady, asked that the new 
company be made guarantor to the leases 
and also to provide three years rent in 
the event of default. He said he had taken 
the matter up at the hearings before 
Alger, but none of his recommendations 
was included in the amended plan. 

Joseph Cohen, representing 3,275 stock- 
holders owning 140,000 common shares, 
said that 77B should apply to the re- 
organization and added SEC couldn’t do 
anything for the plan that had not al- 
ready been considered. 

He argued debenture holders get too 
much under the plan and stockholders too 
little. He then went into details of the 
reorganization committee’s writing down 
property evaluations and asked for pre- 
servation of common stockholders’ inter- 
ests. He will resume Monday. Following 
him will be John Stover, local counsel for 
(Continued on page 20) 


Fields Afar 
Losing Lure 

New York — Hal E. Roach says he has 
definitely washed his hands of foreign 
production. “After that Mussolini affair 
I’m through,” is his succinct disclaimer of 
any further interest abroad. 

Roach is here to attend the premiere of 
his initial venture as a producer under the 
UA banner, “There ' Goes My Heart” at 
the Music Hall, October 13. In the mean- 
time, he is seeing all the shows he can 
possibly attend with an eye to future pro- 
perties. 

After making pictures for 24 years. 
Roach intends to pattern the Harry Lang- 
don-Oliver Hardy series, of which the 
first is “They Call It Love,” along the 
lines of a male counterpart of the Marie 
Dressler-Polly Moran series. The Lang- 
don-Hardy pictures, according to Roach, 
will evolve from the family comedy idea. 

In his other pictures, he says, “bigger 
and better” names will grace the player’s 
list and the comedies will have more im- 
portant stories. He designates Carole 
Lombard, Fredric March and Gary Coo- 
per as the leading players of comedy roles 
because “they surround their parts with 
an air of credibility.” 

Roach has discarded his plans to pro- 
duce four-reel comedies because of the 
split up of the Laurel and Hardy team. He 
thinks it still is a good idea for some 
producer. 


Trade Treaty Aid Object 
Ot Reported Capital Talk 

Washington — Although closest secrecy 
is being maintained, official circles here 
assert that Will H. Hays’ discussion with 
Secretary of State Hull centered about an 
attempt to “bolster the industry’s end” of 
the conferences over a reciprocal trade 
treaty with Great Britain. 


European Situation Delays 
Italian Edict Conferences 

New York — Foreign managers of major 
companies have informed their home of- 
fices that in view of the European situa- 
tion they do not plan to leave Paris for 
Rome to attempt to negotiate for a revi- 
sion of the recent Italian decree that bars 
distribution of American product as well 
as that from other countries. 

All American contracts were absorbed 
by the government controlled ENIC. 


Columbia to Meet 

New York — Columbia will hold its an- 
nual meeting in a few days. Dr. A. H. Gian- 
nini, a trustee, will attend. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


15 


War Clouds Affect 
Ocean Trips of 3 

New York — War clouds over Europe cut 
short Alexander Korda’s visit on the coast 
and also are responsible for Arthur Loew 
and J. Cheever Cowdin cancelling proposed 
trips to the other side. 

Interviewed on the Normandie, Korda 
said he was greatly concerned over war 
conditions. He had planned to sail Wed- 
nesday on the Queen Mary, he added, but 
felt uncertainty of European affairs de- 
manded his immediate return. While in 
Hollywood, Korda said he did a lot of 
“fishing.” He brought back with him the 
signed contract for Jon Hall to play the 
lead in “Thief of Bagdad.” 

Meanwhile, Steven Pallos, general mana- 
ger of London Films, will remain about 
another fortnight. Sabu, the Indian lad 
who appears in “Drums,” continues to be 
feted on all sides during his stay in Amer- 
ica. He attended the opening of the pic- 
ture at the Music Hall. Korda missed it, 
his boat sailing at noon the day before 
the theatre opened. 

Cowdin changed his mind the last min- 
ute. He was advised to remain here until 
the charged air in Europe had cleared 
sufficiently to make the crossing without 
fear of internment. It is understood he 


Passing of War Crisis a 
Welcome Echo in Trade 

New York — Settlement of the Sudeten 
problem by the Powers meeting at Munich, 
thereby relegating into the background 
danger of another immediate World War, 
unwound a tense executive fraternity in 
New York. 

Much concern had been expressed over 
the fate of American product in a war-torn 
Europe. Circuit operators and distributors 
alike also learned what an open conflict 
might mean to grosses in this country. 
Since the European crisis had become more 
acute, grosses have been sliding and not 
even the more important attractions were 
strong enough to resist what appeared to 
be an almost nation-wide concentration on 
ladios to learn each development as broad- 
cast from overseas. 


had planned to talk with British inter- 
ests as a result of the drop in sterling. 

Loew left Thursday for Miami where he 
took a plane for Mexico and Cuba. He 
intends to visit all South American coun- 
tries on his first trip in more than a year 
and a half. He is making a general sur- 
vey and no further theatre building on the 
part of Loew’s in the Latin American 
countries is planned at this time. 

Louis Chatain, advertising executive and 
a director of the M-G-M French company, 
however, sailed on the Normandie. He had 
been here several weeks. 


A Convenience Any 
Which Way 

Los Angeles — Spectators at the Uni- 
versity oi Caliiornia stadium were 
slightly aghast at the sight of Joe E. 
Brown rolling up to the Los Angeles- 
Iowa U. football game in an ambu- 
lance. 

There were mixed reactions. Firstly, 

Joe jr., was playing his first game for 
UCLA. Second, Joe sr., is recovering 
from an operation. 

Arbitration Cases 
Dwindling in East 

New York — Arbitration between exhibi- 
tor and distributor here has been reduced 
to a minimum and, within the past few 
months, not one case has been tried. Many 
have been scheduled on the calendar and 
without exception each was settled before 
arbitrators could meet to hear the com- 
plaints. 

All contracts have special clauses pro- 
viding for arbitration of disputes and it is 
usually the exchange which files the com- 
plaint. With minor exceptions, charges 
concern failure to lift dated pictures on 
time. Shorts, as well as features, are em- 
braced in the films not picked up. 

Privilege of cancellation in contracts 
is one of the prime factors in reducing 
the number of cases filed with the Film 
Board. However, it is pointed out, there 
are exhibitors who have a habit of hold- 
ing off playdates until exchanges are 
forced to make them available under the 
contract, which, in most cases, is the prime 
reason for the arbitration proceeding. 

Now that the summer is over, monthly 
meetings of Film Board members will be 
discarded for the regular plan of gathering 
every other week. The first autumn meet- 
ing, scheduled for September 21, had to 
be cancelled due to the hurricane which 
hit these parts with a jolting wallop. 

Hilgers Named as Special 
Republic Sales Contact 

New York — Clair Hilgers, who recently 
resigned as Universal branch manager in 
Oklahoma City after 
being with the com- 
pany six months, is 
now with Republic 
as special sales con- 
tact with headquar- 
ters here. He will 
work with James R. 
Grainger, president, 
in keeping close con- 
tacts with franchise 
holders. 

clair hilgers Prior to joining 
Universal, Hilgers was associated with 
RKO for two years in Paris and before 
that managed the 20th Century-Fox 
branches in Dallas and Kansas City. 


And So a Crisis Is Ended 


New York — As seen by the well-known H. I. Phillips in his Sun Dial column in 
the Sun : 

Extra! Grave Crisis Ends! 

“All issues, crises and major problems of living, it would appear, have been swept 
aside in American public interest by the news that Bette Davis has been chosen 
to play Scarlett O’Hara in the movie version of ‘Gone With the Wind.’ Heavy fight- 
ing over the choice was reported in many homes. Skirmishes between Davis fans 
and critics were reported, elsewhere. 

* * * 

Opinions From Noted Americans 

“ President Roosevelt — I am glad that this grave problem which has so long 
affected the happiness and peace of this country has been settled at last, and I be- 
lieve further bloodshed has been avoided. My Administration has been behind 
Bette from the start, and only the Tories and foes of progress wanted anybody else. 

“General Pershing — This was no time for another war. Other selections might 
have been made, but the army, navy and air forces are not yet up to the strength 
required to enforce them. 

“Nicholas Murray Butler — Bette is all right with me. I knew her father, Jeff 
Davis, and her brother, Bob Davis. 

“Mayor Fiorello La Guardia — You know how I have stood from the very first 
through this great battle. Rosa Ponselle was always my choice. I shall not, how- 
ever, encourage the farmers of this country to revolt. 

“Alf Landon — I am glad that the crisis has been passed without a sectional issue. 
The important thing in all matters of this kind is to keep America united. It may 
be a distinct help to recovery. I do not know Miss Davis, but I have met her 
brother, John W. Davis. 

“ Alfred Sloan jr. — I think Bette should do O. K. We of General Motors are quite 
well satisfied. 

“Henry Ford — They’ll never go through with it. I’ve seen too many girls picked 
to play Scarlett O’Hara in my time. If the international bankers would keep their 
hands off we might get somewhere with that role. Year from now there will be no 
difficulty finding a movie star to play any part. They will be made to fit any part 
from potato peelings to a new oat with which I am experimenting. 

“Senator Hattie Caraway — I am for anything that will get this picture screened 
and over with.” 



13 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 



Two Kinds of Art for Grade 


New York — Gracie Allen, the George Burns menace, is an old hand now at ap- 
pearing in pictures. 

However, it appears now Miss Allen makes, as well as appears in, pictures. She 
says they are “surrealistic,” but anyway the exhibit is on canvas and currently on 
display at the Julian Levy gallery for the benefit of the China Aid Council of the 
American League for Peace and Democracy. 

Gracie has a way of explaining how it came about and here it is: 

“Now, of course, a lot of people are going to ask how I happened to become an 
artist, so I think it’s best just to tell the truth. There’s no use hiding one’s extra- 
ordinary talent under a bushel basket even though George says that’s where we 
should hide the pictures. 

“I just decided I wanted to paint one day — and so I painted. Really, I was 
terribly surprised though when I discovered the paintings were surrealistic. I onlj 
painted what popped into my head. I guess that’s all, only don’t let anybody steal 
the pictures. Somebody did take two once, you know, but they brought them back 
the next day. George says they must have seen them in the light, but I think he’s 
just mad because he cannot be surrealistic like me.” 

Anyhow, the pictures have titles and they go like this: 

Man With Mike Fright Moons Over Manicurist. 

Dogs Gather on Street Corner to Watch Man-Fight. 

Toothless Mouth Munching on Tuneless Melody. 

Keg-Lined Can Sinking a Couple of Hard Putts in No-Trump. 

Behind the Before Yet Under the Vast Above the World Is in Tears, 
and Tomorrow Is Tuesday. 

Man Builds Better Mouse Trap and Buys Mohair Toupe. 

Gravity Gets Body Scissors on Virtue as Night Falls Upside Down. 

Eyes Adrift as Sardines Wrench at Your Heart Strings. 


New Jersey Allied 
In Convention Bid 

New York — Allied of New Jersey has 
made a bid for the national Allied con- 
vention to be held in Atlantic City next 
May. In seeking the meeting, the Allied 
unit points out the World’s Fair will be 
on at that time so that members coming 
in for the session can take in the sights. 
It is also pointed out Allied of New York, 
sister organization of the Jersey group, is 
making marked strides with major dis- 
tributors which are now reported turning 
a friendly eye to the various units. 

With several national directors sched- 
uled to attend the New Jersey convention 
in Atlantic City, October 19-21, they will 
be sounded out on the idea. 

New York Allied Sets 
More One-Day Meetings 

Syracuse-— In a move to coordinate ac- 
tivities of all exhibitors in the state, Allied 
of New York will hold one-day meetings 
here, in Utica and Buffalo after the an- 
nual Allied of New Jersey convention in 
Atlantic City. 

Although the New York unit is joining 
the New Jersey group in its first annual 
convention this year, the plan under way 
is to hold its own first convention in New 
York the latter part of next September. 


Yonkers Broadway Lease 
Given Up by RKO Circuit 

New York — RKO has dropped the Broad- 
way, Yonkers, second local theatre in re- 
cent weeks. Bert Kulick, local independ- 
ent film exchange operator, is now owner 
of the lease formerly held by RKO. 

Previously, the major circuit turned 
over its lease on the Costello, on upper 
Broadway, to Louis Meyers, formerly with 
the Leff-Meyers circuit. Charles Gold- 
reyer is managing. The Yonkers house 
has been closed since last June and after 
alterations will be reopened by Kulick to- 
ward the end of the year. 


Consolidated Changes 

New York — Tom Hall has resigned from 
Consolidated’s Surrey and has been re- 
placed by M. O’Camp from the Mosholu. 
M. Wallach is now at the Luxor. 


Edison Patrons Don't 
Know Art 

New York— The Strand may have a 
tidy bill to pay the Hotel Edison al- 
though the nearby hostelry rendered 
no service to the theatre. 

It seems that “Scat" Davis was teach- 
ing Wayne Morris to play the saxo- 
phone between shows. The rehearsing 
was done where Edison guests couldn't 
escape the racket. A number of them 
moved out. 


Empress Pictures Quits 
Plan for a Showwindow 

New York — Empress Pictures, of which 
B. S. Moss and Paul Graetz are operators, 
has abandoned plans for taking a Broad- 
way theatre as a showwindow for its line- 
up of foreign pictures. The newly formed 
distributing company will instead sell di- 
rect to established firm runs in key cities, 
with independent exchanges handling the 
product for subsequent runs in all terri- 
tories. 

“Life Dances On,” initial release of six 
for the new season, is currently showing 
at the Little Carnegie, is booked to follow 
at the Ascot, Bronx, as well as first runs 
in Baltimore, Washington, Los Angeles, San 
Francisco, Cleveland, Buffalo, Seattle, Phil- 
adelphia and Portland. 

Irving Gumberg is handling sales for the 
metropolitan area, while Ben Rogers is 
in charge of out-of-town deals. Charles 
Moss is dividing his time between Em- 
press and management of the Criterion. 

Around 100 RKO Officials 
To Attend O'Connor Fete 

New York — About 100 RKO executives, 
managers and home office personnel will 
be on hand at the Astor Hotel, Monday 
night for the dinner being tendered John 
J. O’Connor, vice-president and general 
manager of the circuit. This will be the 
first tribute to O’Connor since succeeding 
Nate J. Blumberg, now president of Uni- 
versal. 


Legit-Film Harmony 
Endorsed by Actors 

New York — Nearly 700 members of 
Actors’ Equity Ass’n, assembled for the 
lirst quarterly meeting of the present sea- 
son at the Hotel Astor, enthusiastically 
endorsed a suggestion presented by Paul 
Dulizell, executive secretary, urging that 
American Theatre Council appoint a com- 
mittee to bring about closer cooperation 
between the legitimate theatre and the 
film industry. As one aspect of that co- 
operation, Dulizell suggested motion pic- 
tures assist in the organization of stock 
companies at strategic points by releasing 
theatres they control at such points and 
by contributing stars and featured players 
for personal appearances in those pro- 
ductions. 

Endorse Pact Reports 

The meeting also endorsed reports con- 
veying information relative to the basic 
agreement entered into between Equity and 
the League of New York Theatres; the code 
of fair practices for the control of the 
sale of and speculation in theatre tick- 
ets; and Equity’s work on behalf of its 
members in the Federal Theatre Project 
of the WPA in which, the meeting heard, 
conditions were steadily improving, as in- 
dicated by the reinstatement of those act- 
ors who were transferred some months ago 
to other projects. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


17 



Love Will Find a Way 



M. Mouse was 10 years old the other day. There were lots of wires, cables 
and birthday cards. But, proving the old one about love, Walt Disney gave 
Mickey a real birthday present. He united him with Minnie in “The Brave 
Little Tailor.” 



QJ.RETA GARBO, who has been in Eu- 
rope since December, docks on the 
Swedish-American liner Kungsholm, Fri- 
day. Also on board is Mrs. Warner Oland, 
widow of Warner Oland ... At Jacks, 
Arthur Byron, stage and screen star, din- 
ing with his wife, demonstrates how his 
collie can say “Oh My, Mom,” and for 
that the dog is awarded a cube of cheese. 
Looking on were Alec Moss, George Ross, 
and Stan Spier, Billy Rose’s publicist. 

The industry drive staff was unexpect- 
edly treated to lunch by Paul Gulick the 
other day. Gulick, who received $5 for ap- 
pearing on NBC’s “ True and False” pro- 
gram, felt he really didn’t earn the money. 
Therefore, the treat . . . RKO’s General 
Sales Manager Jules Levy is in Chicago 
talking product deals with B&K and the 
Essaness circuits . . . Maurice L. Ahearn, 
formerly of 20 th Century-Fox, now is pub- 
licity director of Fordham University . . . 
George J. Schaefer addressed the UMPTO 
of Philadelphia at an organization meet- 
ing Thursday . . . Roy Disney is back from 
a visit to the coast . . . Alfonso Rivas 
Bustamente, who produced the Mexican 
hit, “Rancho Grande,” is in town for a 
few days before proceeding to Mexico City 
He has returned from Italy where he was 
awarded the Gold Medal in the Spanish 
language division of the Italian Film 
Exposition. 

Ben Shlyen, publisher of Boxoffice, is 
in New York from Kansas City . . . Clin- 
ton M. White, assistant general manager 
at GB, has finished a tour of midwestern 
exchanges and now heads into the south. 
He’ll be back in two weeks . . . Dr. A. H. 
Giannini, former UA president, is here 


from Hollywood again . . . Nate Spingold 
has returned from California and the Co- 
lumbia studio . . . Although there was talk 
Frank Capra would visit, it appears now 
he will do no such thing ... A. Margolies 
has finally moved his family back into 
town. Away for the summer, of course. 

Walter Reade jr., is in the throes of in- 
stalling six gold inlays where that many 
common silver fillings have outlived their 
usefulness . . . Abe Montague is looking at 
a 55 -foot cruiser. His present W-footer is 
getting too small . . . Monroe Greenthal 
had plenty buckos, at 6 to 5, for alma 
mater Columbia to take Yale . . . Phil 
Reisman is aboard the Kungsholm, due 
Friday . . . Sammy Cohen is let down no 
end over the turn of events in Europe. He 
had his World War sailor suit all laid out 
and his farewell speech prepared . . . Wil- 
liam Wellman gets in from the coast, 
Thursday, and sails for a Bermuda holi- 
day on the Monarch of Bermuda, Saturday 
. . . The Yacht Club Boys, having com- 
pleted roles in “Artists and Models 
Abroad,” open at the Versailles, Thursday 
. . . Jean Lenauer was interviewed by 
Frank S. Nugent, film critic of the Times, 
on the National Board of Review program 
over WNYC. 

Among Our Scriveneers : Frederick James 
Smith is back on Liberty in charge of film 
reviews. He continues special stints for 
This Week, Sunday supplement of the 
Herald Tribune . . . Abel Green is writing 
a book on the history of Variety . . . Tom 
Waller continues to get full-page breaks 
from Kings Features on Paramount puffs 
. . . Wilson Hicks, brother of John W., 


Paramount foreign chief, is associate edi- 
tor of Life. He spent some years with the 
Kansas City Star and Associated Press be- 
fore moving over to the Time and Life 
Bldg. . . . Hal Horne, official quipper for 
Walt Disney, says “Our exit doors are 
always open to you,” which is his own 
way of saying “Scram!” 

Irwin Zeltner, former Loew newspaper 
contact locally, has opened his own office 
on the coast, satisfying an ambition he 
has nursed for years . . . Oscar Doob has 
gone in for corn cobs, the hick. He’s 
pretty good at making rings when smok- 
ing a pipe. When visiting friends recently 
in Wilmington, he tried to show a woman 
how it was done and she certainly smoked 
rings around him. Which all goes to 
prove he is not the champ . . . Howard 
Dietz and Arthur Schwartz have another 
show on the boards . . . Arthur Hirsch- 
man recently went to Pike, N. H., for a 
vacation to get away from the film busi- 
ness and, of all things, the only enter- 
tainment during his stay was picture 
shows. 

Arthur Brilant is back in the film busi- 
ness again, after a crack at radio. He’s 
handling publicity for the Broadway com- 
mittee for Motion Pictures’ Greatest Year 
. . . Budd Schulberg, who started as a 
publicity man in Hollywood, is selling more 
fiction to national magazines than many 
more seasoned writers on the coast . . . 
Halsey Raines dug up an “angel” for his 
fashion show business, after all these years 
. . . John Ball has been reappointed di- 
rector of publicity for the Drake and Lyric 
at Oil City, Pa. 

Ralph Branton, Bob O'Donnell and A. H. 
Blank are among Paramount theatre part- 
ners here and busying themselves with 
product deals . . . Bernard Sobel of the 
Ziegfeld Sobels is listed among “Who’s 
Who,” as well as Metro’s publicity staff 
. . . Cresson Smith lunching at Mayan 
Restaurant . . . C. K. Stern, Loew’s assist- 
ant treasurer, arrived on the Manhattan 
from Europe . . . Earle Hammons is con- 
sidering switching dentists. He suffered 
for two days while his favorite molar 
puller observed Rosh Hashonah . . . Sec- 
ond floor scene: Abe Montague, Louis 
Weinberg and Jerry Safron holding court 
with Fred Meyers, Max Fellerman and 
Bob Wolff over a Lindy luncheon table . . . 
Edward B. Barison, former assistant of- 
fice manager at the Warner exchange, 
has joined World Pictures as salesman. 

Bob Reinhardt, former Variety mugg, is 
sporting a “van dyke” and has turned to 
the jewelry business for the present. He 
used to handle the “Literati” section . . . 
Mrs. Florence Marston, eastern secretary 
of the SAG and the advisory council, was 
among those present at the dinner for 
Edward McGrady at the Hotel Astor. Har- 
riet Reynolds of the same office is vaca- 
tioning with her folks in Florida . . . 
Robert Donat returned to London on the 
Holland-American liner Nieuw Amster- 
dam. He expects to be back for the pre- 
miere of “The Citadel.” 

Among those docking on the Rex Thurs- 
day were Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Weiss, 


18 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


Beniamino Gigli, Ezio Pinza and Elizabeth 
Rethberg . . . Director James Whale ar- 
rived in New York and sailed three hours 
later on the Normandie for a European 
vacation — which is some time to take one 
. . . Paramount’s manager in Cuba, Jas- 
per D. Rapoport, is on his way to Havana 
with Mrs. Rapoport . . . L. W. Conrow, 
president, and G. L. Carrington, vice-presi- 
dent and general manager of Altec, are 
back at their desks after a sales trip. 

Jack L. Warner here from the coast . . . 
Arthur Loew and the missues did not go to 
Europe as planned because of the troubled 
situation on the other side . . . Ditto Lili 
Damita, who also gave as her reason for 
cancelling Normandie reservations, the ill- 
ness of her husband, Errol Flynn . . . Radie 
Harris, Sidney Fox, Regina Crewe, Grace 
Menken, Jack Cohn, Sam Dembow, Grad 
Sears, Ned Depinet, Willard McKay, Ar- 
thur Lee, Charles Paine and Louis Barbano 
among the luncheoneers at “21.” 

John Balaban returned to Chicago the 
middle of the week. Walter Immerman 
and Joe Kaufman preceded him by four 
days. By the by, Kaufman’s father, Abe, 
in charge of B&K bookings, is on the 
mend and will be back on the job shortly 
. . . Joe Hornstein was in the Windy City 
over the weekend . . . “lzzy” Levinson’s 
wife has been discharged from Mt. Sinai 
Hospital after an appendectomy . . . Mau- 
rine Watkins is on the Continent, having 
sailed on the Conte di Savoia . . . Oscar 
Morgan, Paramount district manager with 
headquarters in Atlanta, was a home of- 
fice visitor. 

A1 Herman, Universal district manager, 
was marooned in New England during the 
floods . . . Harry Gold experienced some 
bad experiences because of the hurricane. 
Ditto Nat Beier . . . Lou Smith has gone 
back to the Paramount studios . . . Rufe 
Blair of Paramount has left for Chicago, 
Omaha and San Francisco . . . Moe Strei- 
mer’s daughter, Faybelle, is on her feet 
again after being laid up almost two weeks 
with a bad cold. 

Cherries Moss was at the receiving end 
of a party tendered to him at the Hotel 
St. Regis by the aunt of his fiance . . . 
It took Billy Ferguson four hours to get 
a phone call through Ogunquit, Me., but 
it was worth it. The report was that there 
was no damage to his summer home . . . 
Eddie Carrier is on the coast arranging 
for new material for M-G-M’s mobile 
Marionette Moviette show. 

Barney Balaban didn’t spend the Jew- 
ish holidays in Chicago this year, his 
brother, John, being in town for services 
here . . . Charles Mendelson, cashier at 
the 20th-Fox exchange in Washington, 
spent the holidays with his fiance in 
Rochester . . . E. Thornton Kelly was a 
Philadelphia visitor during the week on 
Allied convention matters . . . Moe Kri- 
del has turned over the Palace, Orange, 
to Warners as part of the settlement in 
the $1,000,000 suit he instituted several 
years ago against the circuit and major 
companies . . . Lew Lehr and Bob Gill- 
ham have gone in for Tyrolean hats, the 
former green and the latter a mauve. 

Tom Connors visited Boston and New 


Haven . . . Maurice D. Seidlitz, Loew dis- 
trict manager, received many telegrams 
when his boy, Max, was Bar Mitzvahed at 
the Congregation B’Nai Jesliurun last Sat- 
urday with a luncheon afterwards at the 
Hotel Cromwell . . . Marvin Schenck and 
Jerry Safron have started a new fashion 
craze with their maroon-colored jackets 
. . . Sam Rosen, Si Fabian, Ted O’Shea, 
Jack Bowen, Johnny Murphy and Tom 
Connors were on the golf links when In- 
dian summer broke out in a rash last 
Saturday . . . Eugene Picker and Harry 
Bernstein went to the races. 

Monroe Greenthal’s phone rang a few 
minutes past nine Sunday morning. It 
was Steven Pallos seeking a tennis game. 
He got it, even though Greenthal had been 
out late the night before. The suspicion 
is Monroe got in his revenge by licking 
Pallos on the court. 

J. Cheever Cowdin, chairman of the 
Universal board, postponed his London trip 
because of the war scare . . . R. K. 
Hazokinson, who handles Latin America 
and the Far East for RKO, is en route 
to Panama. His itinerary also includes 
Mexico and Cuba . . . Lynn Farnol has 
returned from the coast . . . Bob Gillham 
still likes to work Saturdays. Gives him 
a chance to clean up without too many 
interruptions . . . Fred Meyers will spend 
10 days at Coronado Beach, then tour all 
RKO theatres between the west and east 
coasts. He expects to be gone about four 
weeks. 

Jerry Safron, Columbia western division 
manager, leaves for Los Angeles Monday 
. . . Phil Dunas, midwest district mana- 
ger, returned to Chicago after a short 
visit to the home office . . . Hal E. Roacn, 
accompanied by the missus, are in town 


for the opening of “There Goes My Heart” 
at the Music Hall, October 14. They took 
the train as far as Detroit, bought a new 
Buick, and drove in the rest of the way 
via Montreal and New England . . . Al 
Lichtman and Ben Goetz are in town from 
the coast, the former for a conference 
with Nicholas M. Schenck, and the latter 
to return Wednesday on the Queen Mary 
for home. 

George F. Dembow, back from Dallas and 
Denver, plans a coast trip in a fortnight 
. . . Mike Rudin, the exhibitor, visited 
Filmrow the other day and within an hour 
three people told him he was putting on 
weight which he denies . . . Marc Lach- 
mann has joined the exploitation depart- 
ment of 20th-Fox as national director and 
will make his headquarters here with 
periodic trips to the studios . . . Anne 
Shirley, RKO player, is contemplating a 
trip to Virginia to meet her husband’s 
family. The actress married John Payne 
a little over a year ago and has been too 
busy to meet the in-laws. 

Bill White and John Benas are now en- 
sconced in new offices at the Skouras 
circuit in the Paramount Bldg. . . . Har- 
old Orlob invited the press to meet Syl- 
via Sidney, Leif Erickson, Dudley Mur- 
phy and Oliver H. P. Garrett, all inter- 
ested in the making of “. . . one third of 
a nation” for Paramount at Astoria . . . 
Col. Fred Levy of Louisville has been vis- 
iting these parts on business . . . John 
E. Otterson and Harry Brandt were seen 
at the 20th-Fox home office the other day. 

Ed Finney’s friends here are intrigued 
to learn the former advertising man is 
extending production activities with a 
series of dramatic features for distribu- 
(Continued on page 20-B) 


Not An Actor , But a Producer 



The handsome chap is Lou Smith, once a press agent and now an associate 
producer for Paramount. The girl, Ellen Drew, prominent in the cast of 
“If I Were King.” The occasion: a cocktail party for her and Basil Rath- 
bone at the Waldorf. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


19 


Paramount Circuit 
Plans Name Bands 

New York — Paramount has “no more 
plans in the direction of flesh shows” 
than it normally has, which is confined 
to sporadic bookings of name bands, ac- 
cording to Leon Netter, executive assist- 
ant to Y. Prank Freeman, head of the- 
atre operations. The circuit probably will 
try the bands in Minneapolis, St. Paul 
and Buffalo. 

A meeting of Paramount theatre part- 
ners is tentatively set for New Orleans in 
March. It may be moved up, depending 
on the turn of general conditions after 
the first of the year. 

Among Paramount partners expected 
here during the next few days on product 
deals and theatre operation matters are 
John J. Friedl, Minneapolis; Han*y David, 
Salt Lake City; George W. Trendle, De- 
troit, and Vincent McFaul, Buffalo. 

CBS Spending $650,000 
On Television Equipment 

New York — CBS is spending $650,000 to 
install a television transmitter in the 
Chrysler Tower to inaugurate a regular 
schedule of televised programs early in 
1939. 

The equipment will occupy the 72nd and 
73rd floors of the skyscraper and calls for 
the construction of a coaxial cable con- 
necting the transmitter with the CBS tele- 
vision studios in the Grand Central Ter- 
minal Building. 

The new station will send out images 
of 441 -line definition, as compared with 
a 60 -line transmission of recent years. 
About 40 miles of metropolitan territory 
will be served when the programs get un- 
der way. The station will have call letters 
W2XAX. CBS first began television ex- 
periments in 1931. 

Nat Furst With Broidy 
And Welansky in Boston 

Boston — Nat Furst has taken a new 
post in association with Steve Broidy and 
Een Welansky at Monogram’s exchange. 
The deal was closed with George W. Weeks, 
sales manager, in New York. 

Furst was Warner branch manager in 
New Haven and Boston for 10 years. He 
recently resigned. At one time, he was 
RKO exchange manager and served 21 
years as Fox home office official. 

Circuits Await Definite 
Date on Union Dickering 

New York — Projectionists Local 306 has 
not yet advised major or independent cir- 
cuits on a definite date for resuming ne- 
gotiations on a revised wage scale for the 
next two years as provided under the terms 
of the ten-year master contracts. Both 
major and independent circuit heads are 
ready to sit down when meetings are to 
be called. 


Wait'll Luce Hears 


New York — “Snow White” had “Whistle 
While You Work,” Russia has “The Volga 
Boatman” and the Industry has “You’re 
My Movie Show.” 

With words by Music Hall Lyricist A1 
Stillman and original musical by Para- 
mount Organist Don Baker it runs: 

You’re my movie show 

My big scenario 

When you say the love you feel 

Darling, you’re my good-news reel. 

You cheer up the house 
Much more than Mickey Mouse 
When we walk the Road of Dreams 
You’re my Travelogue, it seems. 

Since I metcha 

I forgot what clouds and rain meant 
You can betcha 

You’re the World’s Best Entertainment. 

You’re my song and dance 
My only big romance 
When you’re with me, darling, I’m 
Unmoved by the March of Time. 

My five-star-feature 
Beautiful creature 
You’re my Movie Show. 

RKO Revamp Plan 
For Early Washup 

(Continued from page 15) 

E. W. Stirn, A. K. Weber, Richard Hunt. 

Rickaby, in addition to his oral rebut- 
tal, will file briefs answering opponents. 

A. H. MacCausland, Irving Trust repre- 
sentative, returned a day before the hear- 
ing from the coast where he conferred 
with Pandro Berman on production plans. 
After court adjourned, he filed a six 
months’ financial report of RKO opera- 
tions which showed a consolidated net loss 
of $480,176 for 26 weeks ended July 2. 
This was before dividends of $3.50 on the 
cumulative preferred and before an accru- 
ing interest of $383,388, the latter figure 
to be eliminated upon reorganization. 

The theatre companies reported a net 
profit of $416,478 for the 26 weeks, after 
income and accrued interest of $115,368, 
which compares with a net profit of $751,- 
595 for the same period in 1937, when 
taxes and accrued interest amounted to 
$180,838. 

Operations of the producing and dis- 
tributing units resulted in a net loss of 
$1,135,522, after all charges, as compared 
with a net profit of $476,491 for a similar 
period the year before. For the 13 weeks 
ended April 2, 1938, the net loss was $709,- 
987. For the 13 weeks ended July 2, this 
year, the net loss was $425,534. For 11 
weeks ended September 17, the last three 
weeks being an estimate, the loss is $214,- 
683. Pathe News show a net profit of 
$117,574 for the 26 weeks, after all charges, 
as compared with a net profit of $2,080 
for the same period in 1937. 


Universal Shows 
Approach to Black 

New York — Universal will approach the 
black by the end of the year, it is learned 
from authoritative sources closely identi- 
fied with the company. 

For the 13 weeks ended July 30, the net 
loss after taxes and other charges amount- 
ed to $184,963. This compares with a net 
loss of $627,933 for the same period last 
year. For the 39 weeks ended July 30, the 
loss was $773,248 against a net loss of 
$1,136,968 for the same period in 1937. 
Business since the new administration took 
over operations is way ahead of last year 
with a greater number of contracts signed 
to date than for any previous year at the 
same time. 

Bon Voyage Dinner for 
/. E. Robin on Trip Eve 

New York — Surprising him with a bon 
voyage gesture on the eve of his depar- 
ture for a six-month business trip through 
Central and South America, friends of J. 
E. Robin, president of J. E. Robin, Inc., 
gave a dinner for him at the Pennsylvania 
Hotel. Present were: 

Oscar F. Neu, Edwin T. Neu and Lee E. 
Jones, Neumade Products Corp.; John 
Keating, attorney; George F. Reid, Milton 
Brause and Albert Hurley, Hurley Screen 
Co.; Clarence Ashcraft, C. S. Ashcraft 
Mfg. Corp.; Ray Gallo, George Schutz, 
and H. Alban-Mestanza of Quigley Publi- 
cations; James Elderkin and Ray Duport, 
Forest Mfg. Co.; Charles Thomas and Lou 
Francis, Hey wood- Wakefield Co.; George 
Smith and John Hearty, Imperial Electric 
Co.; Herbert Griffin, International Pro- 
jector Co.; Charles Schatten, Albert Frank, 
Guenther Law Co.; Frank Cahil, Warners; 
Charles Happel, Jerry Shaw, Charles 
Shultz, Heyer-Shultz Co.; Samuel Harper, 
The Ballantyne Co.; John Hughes and 
E. Van Pelt, Continental Bank & Trust 
Co.; Frank Ryan, Allen Williford, Na- 
tional Carbon Co., Inc.; Oscar Holmes, 
Holmes Projector Co.; Joseph Kleckner, 
Motiograph, Inc.; William Linden, United 
Projector & Film Corp.; Jack Norling, 
Loucks & Norling; Nate D. Golden, Motion 
Picture Division, Dept, of Commerce; Wil- 
liam Gedris, Ideal Seating Co., and James 
Finn, International Projectionist. 


Sloane Joins UA 

Buffalo — Hal Sloane, former eastern 
representative for Walt Disney, has joined 
the local UA sales force. He had been 
at the New York exchange for a week 
breaking in before coming here. Sloane 
succeeds Jack Zurich, resigned to go with 
another major company. 


Coster Export Manager 

Chicago — Victor B. Coster is now export 
manager of Motiograph, Inc. He was with 
the foreign department of Erpi since 1927 
and for the past six years manager in 
Argentina and Uruguay. 


20 


BOXOFFICE October 1, 1938 



No Universal "A" 
Limit, Sags Scully 

New York— “There is no limit to the 
number of ‘A’ pictures New Universal 
will deliver in 1938-39,’’ William A. Scully, 
general sales manager, told Boxoffice at 
the conclusion of a two-day eastern and 
southern regional meeting here. 

“We are striving for as many ‘A’ films 
as we can make,” he added, listing among 
the top pictures to be distributed during 
the season the following: “Youth Takes a 
Fling,” “Destry Rides Again,” with James 
Stewart: “Service De Luxe,” with Con- 
stance Bennett, Vincent Price, Charles 
Ruggles and Mischa Auer; “Little Tough 
Guys in Society,” with the “Dead End” 
kids; “You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man,” 
with W. C. Fields, Charles McCarthy and 
Edgar Bergen; “The Storm;” “Newsboys’ 
Home,” with Jackie Cooper and the “Dead 
End” kids; three Deanna Durbins, one 
Bing Crosby, two Danielle Darrieux, one 
John Stahl production starring Irene 
Dunne, two Joe Pasternak productions, 
and one Margaret Sullavan. 

The program of 40 continues without 
change in number. There also has been 


Korda Frowns Upon 
Reciprocal Deals 

Hollywood— -Alexander Korda is not 
in favor of making reciprocal deals on 
talent with American companies. 

"I always lose money on them," he 
says, claiming he gets the “short end" 
of such deals. 


no alteration in the short subject sched- 
ule, but Graham McNamee has been add- 
ed to the “Going Places” series for nar- 
ration. 

During the sessions here, Scully in- 
formed district and branch managers of 
the new personalities lined up since the 
sales convention. Vincent Price is looked 
upon as a comer. He has appeared with 
Helen Hayes in “Victoria Regina” and also 
played opposite Katharine Cornell on the 
stage. 

Discussing the revised lineup, Scully 
stated that “our flexible policy allows us 
to obtain different personalities to make 
one or two pictures and this is reflected in 
the signing of Crosby, Fields, Price and 
several others. 

Commenting on M-G-M’s policy on 
shorts, Scully declared that “we do not 
insist on anybody buying our shorts. Our 


salesmen have been instructed to impress 
upon the exhibitor the quality of our sub- 
jects and to purchase as many as his re- 
quirements allow. We have an open door 
policy on shorts.” 

The first day’s session was held at the 
Astor Hotel where Nate J. Blumberg, pres- 
ident; Scully, J. H. Seidelman, foreign 
head; F. J. A. McCarthy, eastern division 
sales manager, and W. J. Heineman, west- 
ern division head, spoke. Matthew J. Fox, 
aide to Blumberg, departed for the coast 
before the meeting got under way. The 
second day’s meeting was held at the home 
office. A general conference preceded the 
screening of “Youth Takes a Fling” and 
“Dark Rapture.” Individual meetings with 
branch managers were held later. 

Among those who attended in addition 
to the speakers were: Clair Hague, Can- 
ada; Dave Miller, Cleveland; A1 Herman, 
New York; Harry Graham, Atlanta, dis- 
trict managers, and the following branch 
heads: Leo Abrams and Max Cohen, New 
York; Sig Wittman, Philadelphia; John 
Scully. Buffalo; William Kelly, Boston; 
Morris Joseph, New Haven; W. M. (Snake) 
Richardson, Charlotte; John Ezell, Atlanta; 
Nate Sauber, Washington; Joe Kaufman, 
Pittsburgh; Joseph Engel, Cleveland; Louis 
Kreiger, Cincinnati; Jerry Leary, Albany: 
James Prichard, Memphis; James Hobbs, 
Oklahoma City; Edward Olsmith, Dallas, 
and Paul Tessier, New Orleans. 


"U” Holds a Meeting 



At Universal’s New York sales meet- 
ing. Left to right: Paul Krieger, Cin- 
cinnati manager; Joe Engel, Cleve- 
land; J. R. Kauffman, Pittsburgh; Al 
Herman, eastern district manager; Sig 
Wittman, Philadelphia; Leo Abrams, 
Big U; Max Cohen, sales manager, 
Big U; Dave Miller, middle eastern 
district manager, and W. P. Kelly, 
Boston. 




And here, also left to right: Clair Hague, Canadian district manager; Joseph H. Seidelman, foreign sales manager; Nate 
J. Blumberg, president; W. A. Scully, general sales manager; Frank J. A. McCarthy , eastern sales manager; Willia?n J. 
Heineman, western sales manager ; Tom Murray, home office contract representative ; Harry Graham, southern district 
manager ; John Scully, Buffalo manager ; Morris Joseph, New Haven; A. J. Leary, Albany; John Ezell, Atlanta; Paul 
Tessier, New Orleans; W. M. Richardson, Charlotte, and Edward Olsmith, Dallas. —Photos by Cosmo-sneo 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


20-A 





GN Plans Before 
Western Delegates 

Chicago— An outline of Grand Na- 
tional’s plans for the coming year was 
detailed by E. L. Alperson, vice-chairman 
and general sales manager, to a delegation 
of western branch managers and sales- 
men at a two-day regional meeting here. 
Following the sessions, Alperson left for 
New York where he was scheduled to hold 
similar meetings Saturday and Sunday. 

Plans for increasing the sales force and 
the appointment of four district man- 
agers were also divulged. Alperson has 
had such moves in mind for some time, but 
was forced to withhold action because of 
the bankruptcy action taken about a year 
ago. 

Earle W. Hammons has in mind a trip 
to England to confer with representatives 
of Associated British Film Distributors. 
The GN deal with the English company 
expired recently and although Hammons 
has been discussing a releasing plan with 
Louis Jackson of Anglo-American Films, it 
is most likely he may continue the ar- 
rangement with ABFD on a new basis. 

Third Week Skouras Drive 
Winners Are Announced 

New York — Winners for the third week 
of the Skouras circuit efficiency drive re- 
sulted in three New York houses and two 
New Jersey units walking off with cash 
awards. The fourth week has just been 
concluded and the drive has six more weeks 
to go. Managers have been dividing the 
awards to theatre personnel participating. 

Benny Katz, manager of the State, Jer- 
sey City, took first with a $175 award; 
Mort Green of the Crotona, second, $125; 
Paul Hamilton, Blenheim, third, $100; M. 
Shepard, Symphony, fourth, $60; Meyer 
Phillips, Englewood, Englewood, N. J„ 
fifth, $40. 

Shapiro and Robinson 

Start Circuit With Two 

New York — The Waldorf here and Bel- 
asco, Washington, are the first two units 
to be acquired by a group headed by Irvin 
Shapiro and Myron Robinson in setting up 
a new circuit in eastern key cities. Plans 
are for the operation of six houses by the 
end of the year. 

The Waldorf, after alterations, will be- 
come a first run. The house is in the 
Radio City area. The Belasco is a foreign 
first run. 

Shapiro will supervise bookings for the 
new group; Oliver Sayler will be in charge 
of publicity, and A. S. Rossbach, former 
independent producer, will handle theatre 
management. 


Trade to Halt 

New York — Another lull in the industry 
will occur when Yom Kippur, the Jewish 
Day of Atonement, will be observed for 24 
hours starting Tuesday at sundown. 



(Continued from page 19) 
tion not yet set .. . Pat Casey, producers’ 
labor contact, has returned to the coast, 
but he’ll be back soon . . . Ben Washer 

likes stout and champagne; also its 

kick . . . While Alexander Korda has 
sailed for London, Steven Pallos will be 
around for a while. He was Arthur W. 
Kelly’s luncheon guest at “21” the other 
day . . . Mrs. Herman Robbins back from 
an extended stay on the Continent . . . 
Charlie Moskowitz appearing at the Tav- 
ern without the white carnation . . . S. R. 
Kent is back from a short Hollywood trip. 

The motion picture contingent of the 
New York press turned out at “21” to 
do honor to Lou Smith, ex-press agent 
and more recently associate producer for 
Frank Lloyd. Smith got a luncheon and 
an engraved cigarette case. The “gang” 
got a load of “If I Were King.” Howard 
Barnes, Frank Nugent, Ben Crisler, Kate 
Cameron, Wanda Hale, Bill Boehnel, Bland 
Johaneson, Irene Thirer and Leo Mishkin 
were there . . . J. E. Robin, factory repre- 
sentative for foreign theatre equipment 
manufacturers, found himself surrounded 
by a host of friends and a surprise send- 
off party before boarding a plane for a 
six-month business trip to Central and 
South America. The party, arranged by 
Oscar Neu, was held at the Salle Moderne 
Room on the Hotel Pennsylvania roof. 
It included Oscar and Edwin Neu, John 
Keating, Milton Brause, Albert Hurley, 
George Reid, Ray Duport, James Elder- 
kin, Clarence Ashcraft, Lou Francis, 
Charles Thomas, Albert Frank, Charles 
Schutz, John Hughes, John Hearty and 
Oscar Holmes, among others. 

Late arrivals to the biggest city were 
Stuart Erwin and George Raft and the 
family of Herman Wobber, 20 th-Fox gen- 
eral sales manager. 

More Washington Talks 
Over Expansion Snag 

(Continued from page 13) 
foundation without going to court, par- 
ticularly the rivalry among all companies 
for talent and story properties. 

Meanwhile, the government plans an- 
other get-together in a few weeks when 
it will have available certified complaints 
by independent exhibitors of certain al- 
leged abuses by major circuits and dis- 
tributors. Whether these complaints will 
be presented to counsel for the film and 
theatre companies for immediate rectifica- 
tion is not known, but one thing is cer- 
tain: The government will use the batch 
of independent exhibitor affidavits at a 
hearing for a temporary injunction in 
New York. The date for this hearing is 
contingent upon filing of the answers to 
the suit. 

Depositions are scheduled to be taken by 
George Ryan, counsel for Morse & Rothen- 
berg, Boston independents, from major 
company executives next week. The 
Adelphi case against B&K in Chicago has 
been adjourned until Wednesday and 
nothing definite has been set on the Gary, 
Ind., complaint. 


Product Retarded 
Is Fried's Charge 


Philadelphia — Harry Fried, operator of 
the Suburban Theatre, Ardmore; the Se- 
ville Theatre, Bryn Mawr, and the An- 
thony Wayne Theatre, Wayne, Pa., asked 
U. S. district court for an injunction 
against nine major film distributing com- 
panies. 

Fried asserted in his petition that he 
could not get films for his Suburban The- 
atre until 30 days after the rival Ardmore, 
a Warner house, had accepted or rejected 
them, and not for seven days later at his 
other two houses. 

Fried averred that he showed 350 fea- 
tures a year at his three theatres, com- 
pared to the 180 features shown yearly by 
the Ardmore Theatre. 


Report Lockwood Buying 
Out Connecticut Partner 

New York — Arthur Lockwood, who, with 
his partner, M. Ordono, operated three 
theatres in Middletown, Conn., before they 
were tin-own into receivership, is under- 
stood buying out Ordono’s interest in a 
move to reorganize the company and op- 
erate the houses on his own. 

Sam Weiss, who has the Stamford, 
Stamford, is building a new 800-seat the- 
atre in the town, to be ready January 1. 


Technicolor Subsidiary 
Nearly Doubles Profit 

New York — Technicolor Motion Pic- 
tures Corp., a subsidiary of Technicolor, 
Inc., reports net earnings of $862,612 for 
the eight months ended August 31, accord- 
ing to Dr. H. T. Kalmus, president. This 
represents a substantial increase in earn- 
ings for the same period last year which 
totaled $451,258. 


IECA Awards Paramount 
Prize for Best Cartoon 

New York — International Exhibition 
of Cinematographic Art in Venice has 
awarded Paramount a prize for best ani- 
mated cartoon, choosing “Popeye the Sailor 
Meets Ali Baba’s Forty Thieves.” Barney 
Balaban, president of Paramount, will be 
awarded a plaque now en route to the 
Italian Embassy in Washington. 


Joseph B . Morgan Signs 
Trailer-Made Franchise 

New York — Joseph B. Morgan, former- 
ly a partner with Harry Crandall in the 
Crandall circuit in Washington, has signed 
with Trailer-Made for a ten-year fran- 
chise covering Maryland, Virginia, District 
of Columbia, North and South Carolina. 
Offices have been opened in Washington. 


20-B 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


SAG Closes Ranks 
After October 15 


New York — Membership in the eastern 
Screen Actors Guild will be closed Octo- 
ber 15, according to Mrs. Florence Mars- 
ton, executive secretary. The ruling, ap- 
plying only to extra players, goes into af- 
fect following approval of the senior 
board which met on the coast to consider 
the recommendation of the advisory 
council. 

The senior board also approved the in- 
crease in dues from $10 to $25 a year. Ap- 
plicants whose name are on file by Octo- 
ber 1 will be allowed the former rate if 
they pay dues and initiation fees by 
November 1. 

Rapid growth in membership of the 
eastern SAG, which is a little more than a 
year old, is the reason for the step taken 
by the advisory council. The situation 
has come to the point where there is an 
insufficient amount of work hours to as- 
sure members any form of steady employ- 
ment. Applicants are expected to swell 
the ranks close to the thousand mark be- 
fore the deadline. 

The closing of books to further mem- 
bership, according to Mrs. Marston, in no 
way bars young new talent or veterans in 
need of such work. A special admittance 
committee composed of senior SAG mem- 
bers residing here will be formed to pass 
on those desiring entrance. 

It is expected prominent players like 
Dudley Digges and Jean Muir will be asked 
to serve. There is every reason to believe, 
Mrs. Marston points out, the committee 
will be generous in waiving the rule when 
necessary. 

With production booming in the east, 
the ruling is expected to remove one of 
the thorns in the side of the professional 
player. The thorn, appears to be the 
casual player who has no desire of mak- 
ing films his or her career. 

Further protection has been accorded 
the rank and file membership in the rul- 
ing which prevents bit players from ac- 
cepting extra work. 

Harmony was the keynote of the reso- 
lutions forwarded to the senior board fol- 
lowing the initial meeting of the advisory 
council here. A resolution was unani- 
mously adopted praising the skilful ad- 
ministration of the eastern chapter during 
the last year. 


Florence Marston 4-A's 
Delegate to AFL Conclave 

New York — Mrs. Florence Marston, 
eastern secretary of the Screen Actors 
Guild, will substitute for Ken Thomson 
as one of the delegates representing the 
Associated Actors and Artistes of Amer- 
ica at the American Federation of Labor 
convention. 

Press of business on the coast has caused 
Thomson to withdraw. Mrs. Marston will 
leave here Monday night by plane while 
other 4- A delegates, Frank Gillmore, presi- 
dent; Leo Fischer of the American Guild 
of Musical Artists, and Ralph Whitehead 
of the American Federation of Actors, 
boarded a train over the weekend for 
Houston. 



PHILADELPHIA exhibitors — particularly 
those in the southern section of the city 
— are debating whether the new South 
Broad Street situation is a blessing or a 
curse for their business . . . Some argue 
that it will make the South Philly houses 
more accessible for prospective customers, 
while others maintain that it will make 
transportation to the Central city thea- 
tres more easy and thus wean away South 
Philadelphia patrons ... El Brendel jr„ 
son of the film comedian, is back in town 
after summering at Eagle’s Mere. 

Dave Lodge, “ billboard king,” is ready- 
ing a new game for theatre consumptioii. 
It’s called cameragraph and snaps candid 
shots of patrons as they pay their admis- 
sion at the boxoffice. Once a week the 
exhibitor will show a selected number of 
photos on the screen. A patron present 
when his likeness is flashed will receive a 
prize . . . The Gayety Theatre, dark for 
nearly a year, opened Monday with a co?i- 
tinuous burlesque policy. 

They’re calling Jim Clark, “On-Again- 
Off-Again” Clark, these days . . . He’s 
just been renamed to the Delaware River 
bridge commission by Governor Earle . . . 
Jim was removed by the courts a couple of 
months ago and got the job back through 
an act of the state legislature. 

After only a month the vaude-film pol- 
icy at the Fox Theatre is being canceled 
. . . Lack of support from the public is 
blamed . . . The Earle will continue with 
the film plus flesh type shows . . . Leon- 
ard Schlessinger will be given a bache- 
lors’ dinner at Benny -the- Bum’s on Co- 


lumbus Day as a prelude to his taking the 
vows with the lovely Rose Veronica Coyle, 
who was “Miss America” in 1936. 

Calvin Core, executive secretary of the 
censor board, has been drafted as a speak- 
er for the Democratic city committee . . . 
Mrs. A. Mitchell Palmer, board chief, is 
back at her desk following an extensive 
vacation . . . Jeff Keen, managing editor 
and film critic of the Daily News, is re- 
cuperating of injuries suffered in a recent 
automobile accident ... A number of lo- 
cal projectionists are taking a course in 
television with an eye to the future pos- 
sibility that “tele” will replace motion pic- 
tures. 

The social season at the Variety Club 
is in full swing here. It opened with a 
bang with Barker Jack Beresin’s birthday 
party on September 24. The first screen- 
ing was held on Saturday night with 
“Hold That Co-Ed.” Friday night a gen- 
eral membership meeting was held. The 
banquet sub-committees also are getting 
set for the big annual jamboree . . . The 
Variety auxiliary also got started last week 
with the election of new officers. They 
are Mrs. Sam Stiefel, president; Mrs. Ir- 
win Charlap, vice-president; Mrs. Ben 
Fertel, treasurer, and Mrs. Jack Engel, 
secretary. 

Ed Kuykendall, MPTOA prexy, was in 
town last week ... He played in the 
Variety Club-Exhibitor golf tournament . . . 
Ellen Drew, who appeared in “Sing You 
Sinners,” was in town last week visiting 
the home folks. She was feted at a din- 
ner at the Warwick Hotel. 



SH0ULD6R - TO- SH0ULD6R 

One of the solid stones in Cinecolor's 
pyramid of progress is the keen, prac- 
tical spirit of co-operation afforded 
producers who want consistent, life- 
like color with ECONOMY, SPEED 
and FLEXIBILITY. 


CINECOLOR 


BOXOFFICE October 1, 1938 


20-C 



60 Yearly, With 52 
Releases, Metro Aim 


New York — M-G-M is striving to pro- 
duce 60 features with the hope of releasing 
52 annually, A1 Lichtman, vice-president of 
Loew’s, Inc., revealed on his arrival from 
the coast. Under the plan, he said, the 
company always will be ahead of schedule 
for the new season. 

Hugh Harman and Rudolph Ising signed 
seven-year contracts over the weekend to 
make nine cartoons each annually in 
charge of Metro animations. Their Har- 
man-Ising company is being liquidated. 

Lichtman plans to remain here two 
weeks for home office conferences. 

Ben Goetz, head of Metro British pro- 
duction, plans to sail Wednesday to start 
“Goodbye Mr. Chips.” A leading lady for 
Robert Donat and a director for the film 
will be set in a few days. 


Brief Illness Fatal to 

George R . Batcheller 

New York — Burial services were held in 
Pelham for George Randall Batcheller, 
president of Chesterfield, who died at 46 
after a brief illness. He is survived by 
his widow and six children. A son, George 
jr., is with Republic on the coast. 

Batcheller was born in Providence, R. I. 
and was graduated from Dartmouth in 
1910. He was a member of Chi Phi 
fraternity. 


Dr. William E. McKenzie 

New York — Word has been received 
here of the death in Pasadena of Dr. Wil- 
liam E. McKenzie, father of Maurice Mc- 
Kenzie, executive assistant to Will H. Hays. 

Dr. McKenzie received a doctor’s de- 
gree from DePauw University, first taught 
school and later became Methodist minis- 
ter. For 13 years he was district superin- 
tendent for the Methodist Church in the 
Crawfordsville, Lafayette and South Bend 
districts. He was born in Zionsville, Ind. 


Loew Attorney Continues 
Taking of Depositions 

New York — Taking of depositions of 
Loew executives will be continued next 
week by Emil K. Ellis, attorney for minor- 
ity stockholders. Arthur Loew, foreign 
head, was interrogated before leaving for 
South America. A hearing was slated for 
Friday, but adjourned until next week. 


Throwback for Howard 

New York — William K. Howard, former 
film salesman and now long established 
as a director, and general sales managers 
were invited to attend the M. P. Asso- 
ciates’ meeting at the Astor Saturday. The 
idea now is to hold regular sessions Sat- 
urdays when the men have more time to 
discuss business. 


REVIEW 


FLASHES 


ARKANSAS TRAVELER, THE (Para)— Bob 
Bums abandons his vaudevillian humor 
for a homespun and quaintly amusing role 
as an itinerant printer in a deftly produced 
and directed vehicle that will hit the mark 
for solid acclaim, especially with small- 
town audiences. Jean Parker and John 
Beal are excellent in the romantic leads. 
George Arthur produced. Alfred Santell 
directed. 

KING OF ALCATRAZ (Para) — Exciting gang- 
ster yarn featuring thrilling prison break, 
piracy on high seas, plenty of gunplay and 
all the elements that go to make up a 
first-rate action melodrama. Lloyd Nolan 
and Gail Patrick okay in leads. William 
Thomas produced. Robert Florey directed. 

LAST EXPRESS, THE (Univ)— Overly-compli- 
cated Crime Club mystery which only the 
most rabid detective-melodrama fans will 
find to their liking. Plot is far too involved 
to appeal to general celluloid tastes al- 
though acting, especially work of Kent Tay- 
lor, is good. Irving Starr produced. Otis 
Garnett directed. 

MAN TO REMEMBER, A (RKO)— Down-to- 
earth drama of a country doctor which has 
universal appeal. Edward Ellis is thespic 
standout in capable cast headed by Anne 
Shirley. Feature will bear its share of the 
boxoffice burden in all situations. Robert 
Sisk produced. Garson Kanin directed. 

MR. WONG. DETECTIVE (Mono)— First rate 
murder mystery which will rank high 
among this company's product for the sea- 
son and which stacks up well with program 
product from any studio. Boris Karloff is 
flawless in title role while supporting cast, 
screenplay and production are above criti- 
cism. William T. Lackey produced. Wil- 
liam Nigh directed. 

THAT CERTAIN AGE (Univ)— Deanna Dur- 
bin falls in love for the first time in a gay 
and tuneful comedy abounding in youth- 
ful zest. In this sure boxoffice smash, the 
golden-voiced starlet is ably supported by 
a splendid cast headed by Melvyn Doug- 
las and Jackie Cooper. The film, lavishly 
mounted, can safely be tabbed among the 
season's best. Joe Pasternak produced. 
Edward Ludwig directed. 

VACATION FROM LOVE (M-G-M)— A rowdy, 
romantic farce well up to Leo's program 
standard providing plenty of fast-moving 
entertainment. Dennis O'Keefe, co-featured 
with Florence Rice, turns in an engaging 
performance. Orville O. Dull produced. 
George Fitzmaurice directed. 

COMPLETE REVIEWS on the above 
pictures will appear in an early issue 
of BOXOFFICE. 


Frank Talk Quiets 
Philadelphia Row 


Philadelphia — George J. Schaefer, gen- 
eral manager of United Artists, poured 
the oil upon the troubled waters at an 
UMPTO protest meeting Thursday, and 
nipped an impending exhibitor revolt in 
the well-known bud. 

Schaefer assured the assembled inde- 
pendents that his company would treat 
each one equitably in the matter of next 
year’s contract. 

The exhibitors present agreed that 
Schaefer’s frank discussion prevented a 
difficult situation. 

Lewen Pizor, UMPTO president, was 
also praised for his act in arranging the 
meeting with Schaefer. 



^pJESDAY was another busy day for Loew 

Chief Carter Barron and the critics, 
Carter (aided by UA’s Fred Rohr) feting 
Sabu at luncheon at the Washington 
Hotel, shortly afterward holding cocktail 
hour shindig at Variety Club for Director 
Sam Wood. Sabu, accompanied by Mor- 
ris Helprin and Lynn Farnol, in town for 
flying visit to the White House, much im- 
pressed by fact Mrs. Roosevelt knows 
more about elephants than he does. Wood 
here to see his daughter Gloria (Katha- 
rine Stevens) make stage debut in “You 
Can’t Take It With You” . . . Belasco has 
reopened as foreign film outlet, first 
Paderewski in “Moonlight Sonata” . . . 
Ben Bernie, here for personal appearance, 
says he and Walter Winchell may do a re- 
make of “Blessed Event,” first done with 
Lee Tracy. 

Europe being what it is, theatres are 
cutting down scenes of Hitler and Musso- 
lini. Hisses and boos have the boys scared 
the war will start in the balcony instead 
of the Sudeten mountains . . . Helen 
Claire, in new Clare Booth play, “Kiss the 
Boys Good-bye,” lamped opening night by 
Hollywood scout . . . Lew and Mrs. Lehr 
weekend visitors at the Tony Muto manse. 
Daughter Gloria Lehr, student at National 
Park Seminary . . . Adelaide Finch of RKO 
Pathe News, was here arranging for film- 
ing of new short dealing with the post 
office department. 

Variety Club is getting set for great do- 
ings November 19, date of annual banquet. 
Club, incidentally, had to turn down sug- 
gestion of Bill Strickland, local baton 
waver, for fund raising stunt. Music 
maker wanted to arrange one of those 
“jitterbug jamborees,” such as New York 
and Chicago have seen, but only available 
place for it was Griffith Stadium, the ball 
park, and Varieteers were afraid to de- 
pend on Washington’s October weather. 
So now it won’t rain till November. 


Opening Postponed 

Hudson, N. Y. — Walter Reade has post- 
poned to October 14 the opening of the 
Warren, which was acquired in the early 
stages of construction from S. D. Cocalis. 


20-D 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


LETTERS 


(Continued from page 6) 
ray of sunshine on that score. 

I don’t question Thurman Arnold’s in- 
tegrity and honesty of purpose for a mo- 
ment, but I’m afraid that even if his 
prosecution is successful, the victory will be 
an empty one. Frankly, I don’t think 
that the courts and the anti-trust laws can 
help the independent single theatre op- 
erator much. Anti-trust suits, theatre di- 
vorce laws and such will merely have the 
effect of changing the name of my oppo- 
sition but not the character. It occurs to 
me that, if there is a solution, it is by 
way of state legislation similar to that in 
force in many states against the chain 
stores. The plight of the independent is 
created by chain operation, whether af- 
filiated or independent chains, and it is 
this phase of the industry which should 
be regulated. 

If, by taxation by the various states, it 
is made uneconomical for a chain to exist 
as a large scale operator, then the inde- 
pendent theatre market will be truly 
thrown open. Whereas, for example, the 
number of stores which have been closed 
by the A & P because the smaller units 
can’t stand the chain store tax burden. It 
is interesting to note that, where the chain 
stores have closed a unit, an independent 
store has opened in its place. A single 
operator could make the store pay with- 
out the chain store tax whereas the chain 
found it uneconomic to operate. 

It might well be that the whole picture 
of the present monopoly suit eludes me and 
if anyone can show me where I’ll benefit 
by it, I wish you would open your columns 
for such explanation. If you’ve read this 
far, I thank you for your patience; if you 
will print this letter so that a reply might 
be forthcoming from some authoritative 
source, I will indeed be grateful. 

With all good wishes to the continued 
success of your excellent publication. — 
JOHN LASTRUN. 


Editor’s Note — John Lastrun, whose 
real name is withheld at his request, 
has Boxoffice’s assurance that, now 
as always, its columns are open to this 
and to any other discussion of trade 
problems. 

o 

“THIS IS SPLENDID” 

Denver — I note with pleasure the pub- 
licity you are giving “Movies Are Your Best 
Entertainment.” This is splendid and I 
hope you continue to give space to this 
subject. We have suffered so much dur- 
ing the past year because of internal dif- 
ficulties in the industry and every radio 
commentator has blasted the producers on 
the quality of the product. The pictures 
are no better or worse than they were a 
year ago, but we have put that thought in 
the public’s mind and the only way it can 
be overcome is by a campaign of this na- 
ture.— RICK RICKETSON, Fox Inter- 
Mountain Theatres, Inc. 

AN EXHIBITOR SPEAKS 
Columbia City, Ind. — Here is one that is 



(Continued from page 6) 

far. For there are other current 
practices which they consistently 
maintain are far more onerous. 
Overbuying for the one. Unreason- 
able protection for a second. 

With nothing but praise which we 
endow upon Rodgers for his clean- 
cut declaration in writing where it 
can be forevermore turned to in the 
event the memory reveals lapses, it 
is essential to note how the word 
was received and what the recep- 
tion indicates. The Allied men dis- 
played unveiled enthusiasm — we 
read that in BOXOFFICE. There were 
a couple of dubious fellows who, no 
doubt, have gotten that way through 
justification. But, by and large, one 
might think a new sort of heaven 
had opened for these men of exhibi- 
tion, so pleased and so surprised 
were they at the break which had 
come their way. 

It seems to us that, if the reac- 
tion turned out to be so definite 
where the issue is not so life-and- 
death-like, how much greater the 
goodwill and the equity will be 
when more far-reaching concessions 
are granted. Also, how pressing 
the need impresses itself to be that 
such far-reaching steps are matters 
of moment. 

There is a wide variety of rea- 
sons why self-regulation has been 
stumbling for so long a time. Those 
reasons have been duly reported is- 
sue after issue. The effort, repor- 
torially, has been made to point out 
that a limited number of important 
executives in sales is aware of the 
justice in reformation and anxious 
to see it come about. Not all sales 
managers, on the other hand, see 
the issue so clearly as do these first 
few and that explains why it has 



been difficult to arrive at an industry 
program. If it is to be an industry 
program, all of the old-line com- 
panies, not merely some of them, 
obviously must come to an under- 
standing. 

The time has arrived when it is 
largely speculation to forecast how 
the diligent effort thus far applied 
will work out. There is the govern- 
ment suit, the industry's prime men- 
ace these days. There is the persist- 
ence in some quarters to view the 
general problem through individual 
company eyes, rather than through 
broader-gauged industry eyes. 
These varying points of view must 
be resolved into the one if an over- 
all program can hope to be evolved. 

However, the chief proponents of 
liberalism in exhibitor-distributor re- 
lationships are quite firm in their 
convictions. These men, we are 
thoroughly sold, are sincere and 
honest in their enterprise. Believ- 
ing, as they do, that something 
should be done, therefore, can 
easily prove to be not many steps 
removed from the doing. Not, per- 
haps, on so wide a scale as it is 
desirable, but maybe in a narrow 
sphere and confined to one or two 
of the large companies on the theory 
the others will be persuaded to fol- 
low in because it would become 
good business to do so. 

Writes Ali Gaga — 

"Aside to Ed Sullivan — I am a 
constant reader of your column and 
am duly impressed with the discov- 
eries you have made during your 
career. 

"A gentle word of caution, Ed. 
Lay off the Pacific Ocean. Balboa 
saw it first." 


not going to the Wailing Wall with the 
producers. If they had shown the sense 
that God endowed them with, they would 
have come to a liberal cancellation a long 
time ago. Instead of that, they hedged 
what little they conceded with restrictions 
that made it almost impossible to get out 
from under the “klucks” that they have 
produced in the last two seasons. 

I don’t think that there is an exhibitor 
that wants the government messing in on 
the cinema business. The Lord knows 
that they have made a mess of the last six 
years and what they will do to this busi- 
ness is problematical. 


If the producer had given an out-and- 
out cancellation of, say 20 per cent, that 
would have been an out where no one 
would have been hurt. Now they will spend 
a lot more than that in lawyer fees. — 
A. E. HANCOCK, Columbia Theatre. 


NOW AVAILABLE 

Gentile, early forties, as district mgr., 
supervisor or manager. Well versed in stage 
productions. Formerly 6 years with Keith; 
3 years Fox; 3 years large independent cir- 
cuit. Also managed one of Broadway’s 
finest downtown theatres. 

Address MANAGER 

4019 218th St., Bayside, L. I., N. Y. 


BOXOFFICE 


October 1, 1938 


21 




The Drive — In the New York Mode 


New York — Neighborhood theatre patrons know 
something's going on when this circus of floats, music, 
girls, banners and ushers makes its way through town. 
They know there's a Movie Quiz contest under way. 
The stunt is being conducted under the auspices of 
the community committees set up by the general 
theatre group. There is a minimum of five elaborate 
floats, a big band, no less than 50 ushers, innumer- 
able banners and 10 pretty girls in the lead. The 
parade is open for all theatres to participate. It has 
traveled most of Brooklyn and will visit Washington 
Heights, midtown New York, Bronx, Jamaica, Astoria 
and Mt. Vernon, before making another grand tour of 
all communities. 


22 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 





p H ACT I C A L IDEAS BY PRACTICAL SHOW ME N 


Selling Seat* 


Agents Score With 
"Letter" Ad Tieup 

Springfield, III. — In connection with 
the showing of Universal’s “Letter of In- 
troduction,” starring Edgar Bergen and 
Charlie McCarthy, at the Roxy, two of 
the theatre’s enterprising agents scouted 
the city and sold a full page of news- 
paper advertising in the form of a direct 
tieup with the picture at the theatre. 

Ten local merchants were represented 
on the page. Each individual ad contained 
a picture of McCarthy as well as some 
wisecrack of his regarding their product. 
At the top of the page were a theatre ad, 
rules of the contest, and a picture of 
Charlie talking to Springfield’s Mayor 
Kapp. The mayor was saying, “Welcome 
to Springfield, Charlie, we’re happy to 
have you and I know you’ll enjoy your 
stay at the Roxy.” Charlie was saying, 

“Thank you, Mayor Kapp, I ” 

(Here a wisecrack was supposed to be 
inserted by the contestants.) 

The rules said: “What is Charlie’s an- 
swer to Mayor Kapp? Win a free pair of 
tickets to see Charlie in his brand new 
picture, ‘Letter of Introduction,’ starting 
at the Roxy tomorrow. For the 20 best 
original, wisecracking replies we will give 
two tickets each. You have heard him 
wisecrack on the air, so sit right down 
and drop us a post card with your con- 
ception of his reply.” 


Arizona Exhibitor Plans 
"Bargain Week" Idea 

Casa Grande, Ariz. — Reopening his 
Paramount Theatre here after a summer 
shutdown, Bill Cox laid plans for a 
“Bargain Week” beginning September 25, 
at which patrons purchased tickets 
good for an entire week’s showing for 98 
cents. During the period, he plans to 
change the program every day, holding 
for two days only on Friday and Satur- 
day. Theatregoers thus will be able to see 
six shows at approximately 16 cents each, 
as compared to the theatre’s customary 
admission price of 35 cents. 

The Paramount is the only theatre in 
town. 


Ice Stunt Draws 

New Haven — Nat Rubin, Loew-Poli as- 
sistant manager, froze large heads of Sonja 
Henie cut out of one-sheets, and ten passes 
to “My Lucky Star,” in two 300-pounds 
cakes of ice. Police had to scatter the 
crowd which gathered waiting for the ice to 
melt. 


Do Your Share 



Particularly timely in view of the 
storm distress in the east is co- 
operation with the American Red 
Cross. Showmen are expected by 
all responsible elements to extend 
their usual good activity in behalf 
of this worthy organization. 

Survey Leads Way to 

Saving on Advertising 

Boston — George Kraska, operator of the 
Fine Arts, informs Boxoffice that a ques- 
tionnaire survey of patrons has enabled 
him to save hundreds of dollars in ad- 
vertising expenditures. Improved business, 
too, is the result of the research, the the- 
atre operator states. 

Whereas Kraska formerly divided his 
advertising among nine local newspapers, 
cards turned in by his patrons informing 
him of the media of advertising influ- 
encing their theatre tastes, indicated that 
at least five of these dailies were dead- 
wood. He has eliminated them, concen- 
trating with bigger copy, he says, where 
it does the most good. 


Houston Auctions 
Appeal to Patrons 

Houston — Upside down auctions are the 
newest wrinkle in enticing patrons to spe- 
cial shows at Houston theatres. And many 
are the usages of the stunt — even to ruses 
by local politicians. 

The procedure at the regular Monday 
night Dr. I. Q. program at the Metropoli- 
tan Theatre broadcast from KTRH, is for 
Dr. I. Q. to buy articles from patrons in- 
stead of auctioning off articles to patrons. 

For instance, the Doctor says, “I will 
pay $7.50 for the stocking from the right 
le — ah, er, limb — of any young lady under 
19. Who wants to sell her right stocking 
for $7.50?” 

At a recent clinic of the doctor’s (who 
is Ted Nabors, popular announcer for 
KTRH) former Mayor Oscar Holcombe 
sold his red garters for 60 cents. 

“Which makes me believe Mr. Holcombe 
will be in the running for mayor again 
in November,” said one theatre manager, 
echoing the thought in the minds of hun- 
dreds of patrons and thousands of radio 
listeners. 

The Majestic is also featuring upside 
down auctions at Saturday midnight shows. 
The stunt goes over big, both in the thea- 
tre and on the air. 


Spanish- American War 
Tieup Sells "Chickens" 

Harrisburg — With the locale of “Mother 
Carey’s Chickens” laid in the Spanish- 
American war period, it was natural that 
the Senate should capitalize on this ex- 
ploitation possibility. 

The next move was for 25 members of 
the local Spanish-American Camp to re- 
ceive invitations to the opening night. But 
the arrangements also provided for the 
veterans, in uniform and accompanied by 
a troop of boy scouts, to stage a parade 
on the way to the theatre. The stunt 
brought considerable newspaper space. 


CAUTION TO EXHIBITORS 

It has come to our attention that electrically operated slides, in imita- 
tion oi our electrically operated projector slides, are being offered to 
theatres. These slides, in our opinion, are infringements of the Patent 
rights held by us and we will enforce the same to the full extent of the 
law. Exhibitors are warned against such infringing acts. 

Hollywood electrical projector slides are protected by U. S. Letters 
Patents No. 2042604 and No. 2069304. Before using any electrically op- 
erated projector slides, we urge your careful investigation. 

HOLLYWOOD AMUSEMENT CO., Inc., 031 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, III 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


23 



^hott Subject T^eriewl, 


Stranger Than Fiction 

No. 54 

Universal (Educational) 9% Minutes 

All of the items are so intriguing it 
would be unfair to single one out as tops. 
You can’t miss with these. Owen Lowry, 
an inventor, has a mechanical slingshot 
which he demonstrates at Los Angeles. 
New Orleans and some of the famous 
crypts, mausoleums and vaults before 
burial became an underground habit. Jos- 
eph Nagel of Dayton shows how to spin 
and weave metal into any type of design. 
The mobile orange grove at the Palace 
of Varsailles where trees are moved to 
sunny courtyards from the greenhouse. 
William Clark demonstrates what he be- 
lieves will be the car of the future at 
Enid, Okla. It can make 90 miles an hour 
and turn completely around on a dime. 
Buttons to Mrs. Kenneth Browne of Kan- 
sas City mean everything — as a hobby. 
Her display of costumes, designs and but- 
tons is something to look at. When a 
squirrel becomes friendly with man so that 
he eats out of his hand or mouth, it is 
something. Victor Kuhn, a trooper at Key 
Large, Fla., actually has the nimble ani- 
mal trained and the squirrel seems to get 
as much pleasure out of the friendship 
as the trooper. 


Fashion Forecast 

20 th-Fox (Fashions in Color) 11 Minutes 

Vyvyan Donner launches herself as a 
director auspiciously with “Fashion Fore- 
cast,” first of a series of Technicolor shorts 
to appear in advance of each of the four 
seasons. She has assembled a bevy of well- 
known models. They’re something to look 
at and so are the lavish clothes for which 
they serve as mannequins. Men, certainly, 
will wonder at the winter styles. For that 
matter, some women probably will, too. 
But the fashion decrees are in, inviolate 
as always. Ilka Chase furnishes the off- 
screen narrative. The technique is a happy 
one. She indulges in gentle kidding and 
pokes fun in a nice sort of way at models 
and trappings as she and they go. This 
subject looks interesting and potentially 
is boxoffice. Production values are su- 
perior in all departments. 


Party Fever 

M-G-M (Our Gang Comedy) 10 Minutes 

Amusing make-believe for all kind of 
audiences. The fun evolves around rhe 
efforts of Alfalfa and Butch who are out 
to snare the mayorality plum which is 
the feature of Boys’ Week. As usual, fickle 
Darla is the reason for the strife between 
the contestants because the winner will be 
able to take her to the strawberry festi- 
val. But Waldo is the dark horse who 
gets the nomination and Butch and Al- 
falfa are left out in the cold. 


^HORT 

i OF THE WEEK 


Cairo. City of Contrast 

M-G-M (FitzPatrick Traveltalk) 9 Minutes 

One of the best, if not the best, trav- 
elogue produced by James A. FitzPat- 
rick. It's the first of his new series and 
an outstanding subject both in content 
and Technicolor. Again the producer 
proves he has little competition, for his 
work is far above comparison. In this 
treat is the famous Nile over which a 
modern bridge bears the traffic of all 
classes, the royal gardens and its pic- 
turesque servants, the new University 
of Cairo with its spacious grounds and 
stately buildings, the attractive swim- 
ming pool on the outskirts of the desert 
and many other sights. There are 300 
mosques in Egypt, some of which are 
encompassed by the camera, and then 
there is the inevitable Sphynx. A col- 
orful pastel is the scene of the pyra- 
mids as tourists on camels pass by in 
the desert. A subject enjoyable on any 
program. 





Styles and Smiles 

RKO (Nu- Atlas Musicals) 11 Minutes 

This is about as entertaining as four 
mediocre variety acts could be, Virginia 
Verrill and Charles King notwithstanding. 
Unfortunately for Miss Verrill and King, 
their talents are merely sandwiched in 
between an idea that is unoriginal. Their 
material is in kind. Miss Verrill sings an 
unattractve song; King tries to tie in 
the styles in furs, background of the reel 
with notes; Marion Daniels performs an 
acrobatic dance turn and Harrison and 
Fisher do a ball room routine. 


The Early Bird 

Columbia (Scrappy Cartoon) 6 l / 2 Minutes 

It’s a battle of wits between the bird 
and a worm as Scrappy preaches “It’s the 
early bird that catches the worm.” As a 
matter of fact, it turns out to be just 
the opposite with the worm making it 
pretty uncomfortable for the early bird, a 
pet of Scrappy’s. The music is good and 
children will find it amusing and en- 
tertaining. 


They're Always Caught 

M-G-M (Crime Does Not Pay) 22 Minutes 

No greater tribute can be paid to those 
who are responsible for turning out these 
excellent cinematic capsules than to ob- 
serve there is more surefire dramatic en- 
tertainment crammed into this two-reeler 
than many a picture of regulation length. 
It’s a big league job in all respects. There 
is a compact story illustrating the im- 
portance and marvels of scientific crime 
detection; some fine performances by 
Stanley Ridges, Charles Waldron, and 
John Eldredge; and Harold S. Bucquet’s 
direction displays a deft and authoritative 
touch. The story shows how modern 
crimonology is responsible for the appre- 
hension of the murderer of a mayor of 
a large city who has been weeding out 
the rackets. Most interesting is the man- 
ner in which science is employed to seek 
out the clues after the bombing has oc- 
curred. Items of fragmentary nature are 
unearthed to be made tangible by the 
magic of the microscope. Subjects of 
this type are effective antidotes for the 
double feature problem. 


The Man on the Rock 

M-G-M (Historical Mystery) 11 Minutes 

Did Napoleon die on St. Helena, May 5, 
1821? This question, posed by Carey Wil- 
son, explodes on the screen with the force 
of a bombshell. Metro has unearthed a 
number of historical facts which should 
be the subject for many a torrid discus- 
sion. The evidence Wilson presents tends 
to show Napoleon did not die on St. 
Helena but it was his double, a farmer 
boy, Robeaud, who was used to imper- 
sonate the Emperor. It also goes on to 
reveal the man who might have been 
Napoleon was killed in 1823 trying to scale 
the walls of the Schonbrun Palace where 
Napoleon’s son, the Duke of Reichstadt, 
was confined. Wilson points out Napo- 
leon’s great desire was to see his son. 
Other significant factors are reenacted in 
skilful manner. All of which go a long 
way to establish doubt in the accepted his- 
torical version. Exhibitors can make capi- 
tal of this short by tieups with history 
departments of local high schools and 
colleges. Herman Boxer did the script 
and Edward Cahn directed. Edward Ra- 
quello plays Napoleon. 


Football Giants 

Columbia (Sports) 10 V 2 Minutes 

It won’t be long before football stars 
will be on display again and this subject 
is timely for the season. With narration 
by Jack Kofoed and description by Ford 
Bond, the New York Giants go through 
their paces. Every phase of the sport is 
covered and it is interesting to note just 
what it takes to make a pigskin player. 
Led by Captain Mel Hein, the team is 
composed of Tilly Manton of Texas Chris- 
(Continued on page 27) 


24 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 




OPINIONS ON CURRENT FEATURE PRODUCTIONS 


& 


eviewi 


United Artists ( ) 81 Minutes Rel. Oct. 15, '38 

Bright, romantic comedy with moments of entertainment 
for any and all tastes, it is Producer Hal Roach’s first for 
release under the UA banner and, incidentally, his first 
million-dollar picture, reflecting in production values this 
open-handed expenditure. Fredric March is impressive in 
the male lead, while Patsy Kelly romps home with the 
comedy honors in a characteristic rowdyish role into which 
has been written the film’s choicest laugh-gamering bits. 
The story concerns a bored heiress, portrayed by pulchri- 
tudinous Virginia Bruce, who in an effort to “get away 
from it all” finds employment in a department store owned 
by her grandfather, and her romance with a newspaperman 
turned loose on the story. Norman Z. McLeod directed. 

Fredric March, Virginia Bruce, Patsy Kelly, Alan Mowbray, 
j Nancy Carroll, Eugene Pallette, Claude Gillingwater. 

There Goes My Heart F c „ medI 


Paramount ( ) 69 Minutes Rel. 

A gripping football story unfolded against a West Point 
background makes this a very commendable contribution 
to this season’s crop of gridiron features; stacking up as 
prime entertainment for all audiences. No small part of 
the picture’s merit is attributable to several shots of the 
service school, its historic buildings, precision drills and 
traditions. John Howard is a cocky fledgling who breaks 
every known rule by falling for an upper classman’s girl. 
However, he is a powerhouse with the pigskin. Just before 
the big game he is accused of cheating in an examination 
and, until the last minute, is kept out of action. Exonera- 
tion comes just in time to shove him into the fray to win 
the game and the girl. Kurt Neumann directed. 

John Howard, Mary Carlisle, Robert Cummings, William 
Frawley, Owen Davis jr., Benny Baker, Raymond Hatton. 

Touchdown. Army F C Z"Z 

RKO Radio (803) 63 Minutes Rel. Sept. 24, '38 

Hollywood on parade in general and, in particular, what 
a stooge in one of the studios has to do for a living. This 
probably will rate better in small towns where the glamor 
of Hollywood is a fetish with the habitues. Here is the story 
of boy and girl, the former acting as stooge for a star in 
the hope of getting a break before the camera. The girl 
is a publicity writer with ideas she is in love with said 
stooge and that he could do better operating a hamburger 
stand. At a party at a desert roadhouse, Tenwright, who 
has been tiffing with his ace star, is murdered. The stooge 
focuses suspicion on himself when he escapes in a raid on 
the roadhouse. The guilty party turns out to be the stooge’s 
boss. Les Goodwins directed. 

Frank Albertson, Eleanor Lynn, Allen Lane, Bradley Page, 
Adrienne Ames, Jonathan Hale, Russell Hicks. 

Fugitives for a Night F 

20th Century-Fox (911) 68 Minutes Rel. Sept. 30, '38 

Its title notwithstanding, the odds are not in favor of 
this Ritz Brothers effort. The boys just don’t have the 
weight to carry this film, while the stilted romantics of 
Richard Arlen and Phyllis Brooks and the disappointing 
Damon Runyon story fail to ’take up the slack. Divided into 
two equal parts — from which one reel each could be lopped 
of romance and Ritz Brothers, the piece skips unconcerned- 
ly from one side to the other until it has run its course. 
Ethel Merman sings two undistinguished songs. It takes 
the Ritzes from a pony ride concession to owners of a third- 
rate horse who wins the big race in a riotous finish— the 
kind the earlier footage could have used to advantage. 
David Butler directed. 

Ritz Brothers, Richard Arlen, Ethel Merman, Phyllis 
Brooks, George Barbier, Paul Hurst. 

Straight Place and Show F Comedy 

Columbia ( ) 71 Minutes Rel. 

Presented herein is a sound and solid piece of sentimental 
entertainment, so adroitly revealing the joys, sorrows, am- 
bitions and despairs of the American girl that it is sure to 
find feminine handkerchiefs aflutter wherever shown. 
Carrying first quality rating in every respect, it is studded 
with a score of fine performances, is tastefully produced, 
and has been skillfully directed by John Brahm. Also of 
benefit is an unusually intelligent and understanding 
screenplay. Story deals with the enmity between two girls 
attending an exclusive private school — one, Nan Grey, the 
spoiled daughter of wealthy parents; the other, Anne 
Shirley, a scholarship winner who is generally looked down 
upon because she is poor. 

Anne Shirley, Nan Grey, Ralph Bellamy, Gloria Holden, 
Cecil Cunningham, Noah Beery jr., Pierre Watkin. 

Girls' School F 

Drama 

Republic ( ) 63 Minutes Rel. 

A fast moving newspaper yarn is combined with a re- 
vival of the rum-running racket to emerge as an action 
laden thriller sure to be favorably received by audiences 
of all ages. Robert Livingston, as the apple-eating re- 
porter, takes thespic honors, and June Travis, as the 
publisher’s daughter who keeps herself busy keeping Liv- 
ington’s job for him, is thoroughly at home in her role. 
Roland L. Got, the reporter’s young Chinese pal, provides 
a number of comic highlights to the story which deals with 
Livingston’s attempts to avenge the gangster murder of a 
customs inspector friend. Sidney Salkow, making his di- 
rectorial bow, takes credit for turning out a well-knit, 
workmanlike entertainment unit. 

Robert Livingston, June Travis, Robert Armstrong, Ben 
Welden, Lucien Littlefield, Joseph Downing, Roland L. Got. 

The Night Hawk F M , loa , oim , 

Universal ( ) 78 Minutes Rel. 

This has its quota of entertainment. Not so much as it 
might, but pleasantly enough to please the rank-and-file. 

It is unfortunate the story content is so shallow and, be- 
cause it is shallow, has to be stretched far beyond its basic 
worth. This makes for the prime difficulty in another girl- 
gets-boy formula worn pretty thin by now. Paucity of 
essential situations leaves a definite mark. McCrea plays 
a Kansas wheat-belt youth with an unaccountable urge 
to go to sea. He gives up his farm work, goes to New 
York to try for a maritime job, and winds up as a 
truck driver, at the same time meeting and falling in love 
with Andrea Leeds. She wins McCrea away from the water 
when he gets seasick. Archie Mayo directed. 

Andrea Leeds, Joel McCrea, Frank Jenks, Dorothea Kent, 
Isabel Jeans, Virginia Grey, Grant Mitchell. 

Youth Takes a Fling F K “ T 

Monogram ( ) 61 Minutes Rel. 

This packs enough rough-and-tumble entertainment of 
the gangster-melodrama variety to warrant satisfactory 
reception among action fans, particularly the kids who list 
Frankie Darro among their favorites. Young Darro stands 
head and shoulders above the supporting cast as a little 
tough guy, just out of high school, who becomes innocently 
involved in the car-stealing racket and adds a number of 
grey hairs to his benevolent mother’s head before he comes 
clean and goes straight. Cowed by the gangsters’ threats, 
he is afraid to quit the racket until his mother breaks down 
his resistance and calls in Robert Kent, a cop who is in 
love with Frankie’s sister, Evalyn Knapp. Howard Brether- 
ton directed. 

Frankie Darro, Lillian Elliott, Robert Kent, Evalyn Knapp, 
Matty Fain, Thelma White, Willy Castello. 

Wanted by the Police F Meloar „„, 


CLASSIFICATION — A - ADULT — F - FAMILY — J - JUVENILE 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


25 



SUGGESTIONS FOR SELLING THE PICTURE 


AD AIDS 


£.x.ploltlpi 


SELLING ANGLES: "Touchdown, Army" 

Splendid exploitation angles can be found in the 
picturesque West Point background. As the army 
mascot is a mule, try to obtain one, banner him 
with “Touchdown, Army’’ signs and parade him 
around the streets. Use all the regular football 
ballyhoo angles — distribute paper megaphones with 
picture plugs on them to fans at local football 
games; dress the help in West Point uniforms. 
Promote a score-guessing contest on the season’s 
Army-Navy game. 

CATCHLINES: 

He Was a West Point Half-Back . . . This Cocky 
Youngster . . . Who Couldn’t Stay Out of Trouble 
... Or Love. 

The Score Tied ... A Minute to Play . . . And 
Army’s Star Half-Back Does His Stuff . . . Under 
Arrest. 



SELLING ANGLES: “There Goes My Heart" 

Sell Fredric March, Virginia Bruce and the all- 
comedy supporting cast including Patsy Kelly and 
Alan Mowbray. Print throwsheets as heart-shaped 
folders. Tie in with the department store se- 
quences, invite salesgirls from your local shops to 
a special early-morning showing, serving them 
coffee and doughnuts, a stunt which should rate 
newspaper comment. 

CATCHLINES: 

A New Romantic Team . . . Fredric March and 
Virginia Bruce ... in the Fastest, Funniest Mixup 
of the Year. 

The Richest Girl in the World . . . Has a Fling 
in the Big City . . . and Winds Up in the Arms 
of a Crazy, Penniless Reporter. 


SELLING ANGLES: "Straight, Place and Show" 

A streamlined, wacky campaign will do as much 
as anything to get them in. The names of the Ritzes, 
Runyon, Arlen and Miss Merman, of course, aren’t 
to be overlooked. Dress three comics on as many 
broken-down ponies, with imprints on blankets. 
Put a “talking horse” in your lobby or a bus ter- 
minal — in the latter he could answer questions on 
arrivals and departures. You can dress up your 
lobby with a bale of hay and cutouts of the Ritzes 
riding horses backwards. 

CATCHLINES: 

Ride With the Ritzes . . . Who Don’t Know 
Witz End is Witz. 

It’s Bedlam Leading by a Nose . . . And the Ritzes 
Up — But Not For Long. 


SELLING ANGLES: "Fugitives for a Night" 

Have a young couple in a car with a banner 
saying, “We Are Fugitives for a Night. We Are 

Headed for Theatre.” A five-minute 

broadcast of highlights of the picture dramatically 
told, a la Floyd Gibbons fashion, should get the 
curious to the theatre. Teaser throwaways or a 
sandwich man parading the streets with catchlines 
will create interest. Dress up your lobby, if you 
have one big enough, with a car, providing you 
can get one, and have a sign on it saying, “Fugitives 
for a Night Used a Car Like This to Make Their 
Getaway.” 

CATCHLINES: 

Is a Hollywood Stooge a New Type of Slave? . . . 
Would You Rather Be a Valet to a Screen Star or 
Own Your Own Hamburger Stand? 


SELLING ANGLES: "The Night Hawk" 

Livingston, Armstrong and June Travis should 
rate marquee credits. As a title tieup, hold a “Night 
Hawk” show starting at midnight, promoting re- 
freshments from an “open all night” cafe as an 
added attraction. Plant stills, showing Livingston 
munching apples, with local grocers and fruit 
stands. Tie up with magazine dealers to stuff 
heralds in their pulp detective magazines. 

CATCHLINES: 

A Newshawk, Determined to Avenge the Death 
of His Best Pal, Fights Two Rival Gangs to the 
Finish. 

Excitement Along the Waterfront As Gang Bul- 
lets Fly Between Two Rival Gangs of Liquor 
Smugglers. 


SELLING ANGLES: “Girls' School" 

Dress attendants in cap-and-gown and, as 
throwsheets, print up “enrollment cards” to be 
turned in at the boxoffice. Tie in with dress shops 
and sporting goods stores on clothing and equip- 
ment at special prices for girls who are planning 
to go away to school. If there is a private girls’ 
school in your community, invite the students to 
attend in a group at specially reduced admission 
prices. 

CATCHLINES: 

Shunned by Her School Mates Becauses She Was 
Poor, This Girl Won Their Ultimate Respect by 
Placing Friendship Above Money. 

Laughter and Tears . . . Romantic Interludes 
and Hopeless Despair ... All Tenderly Wrought 
into This Masterful Insight Into a Girl’s Heart. 


SELLING ANGLES: "Wanted by the Police" 

Frankie Darro’s name on the marquee should 
draw in the action addicts. Print throwsheets as 
“subpoenas” requesting patrons to appear at the 
theatre when the picture opens. Tie in with used 
car dealers on the “hot car” angle with such 
slogans as “you don’t have to steal a car to get 
one cheap. Check our bargains!” Plug the pic- 
ture via heralds stuffed in pulp detective maga- 
zines. Dig up figures on the car-stealing racket to 
be used in a lobby display. 

CATCHLINES: 

Caught in the Toils of Crime, a Rough-and- 
Ready Youngster Fought His Way Out . . . Be- 
cause He Found It Didn’t Pay. 

A Little Tough Guy With a Yen for Quick Money 
Finds It’s Slower, But Safer, to Work for It. 


SELLING ANGLES: “Youth Takes a Fling" 

Use Miss Leeds and McCrea as your marquee 
bait. Conduct a letter' writing contest in which 
entrants confess their secret ambitions, perhaps 
tying up with a newspaper on the stunt. Use the 
title in tieups on sport clothes, with beauty parlors, 
groceries on health foods, and in other obvious 
ways. Print throwaways as “certificates” guaran- 
teeing to remove ten years from the lives of those 
who see the picture. 

CATCHLINES: 

The Spirit of Restless Youth ... A Boy and a 
Girl Who Couldn’t Choose Between Love and 
Ambition. 

It’s Got That Certain Something That Will Make 
You Young Again. 



ARE YOU USING THE PICTURE GUIDE FOR HANDY FILING OF THESE REVIEWS? 


26 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 



Skott Subject /Reviews 


(Continued from page 24) 

tian, Ward Cuff from Marquette, Willie 
Walls of Texas Christian, Ed Danowski of 
Fordham, Jim Poole of Arkansas, Ox Parry 
of Baylor, Orville Tuttle from Oklahoma, 
Ed Widseth of Minnesota, Nello Falaschi 
from Santa Clara, and Tuffy Leemans of 
George Washington University in Wash- 
ington, D. C. If there are any home town 
favorites in the group this subject is valu- 
able. 


Sue My Lawyer 

Columbia (Langdon Comedy) 17 Minutes 

Not one of Harry Langdon’s best, but 
he works hard and takes a lot of pun- 
ishment before convincing the district at- 
torney he has what it takes to make an 
able assistant. The comic is a lawyer 
turned down by the D. A. when applying 
for a job. The D. A. is trying to convict 
a notorious murderer, but lacks the evi- 
dence. Langdon promises to get it, but 
how the comedian comes through is more 
than he can understand. Langdon’s an- 
tics will probably garner a good quota 
of laughs. He has already graduated from 
the short subject division and is now a 
partner of Oliver Hardy. Supporting cast 
includes Ann Doran, Monte Collins, Bud 
Jamison, Vernon Dent, Don Brody and Cy 
Schindell. 


College Songs 

Columbia (Community Sing) 10y 2 Minutes 

Community sing shorts continue their 
popularity and this one can be rated 
among the best. What with schools re- 
opening and the football season hard by 
college songs will be in the air again. 
Gene Morgan and the Columbians provide 
the music and song in a setting which 
shows Columbia (the producer) is cer- 
tainly going to town. Songs and colleges 
for audiences to join in are: “Red and 
Blue” (Pennsylvania), “Come Join the 
Band” (Stanford), “Far Above Cayuga’s 
Waters” (Cornell), “Washington and Lee” 
(Washington and Lee), and “Notre Dame 
Victory Song” and “Bingo.” A knockout 
for college towns. 


The Animal Cracker Circus 

Columbia (Scrappy Cartoon) 7 Minutes 

Another outstanding short with gor- 
geous coloring, cheerful music accompani- 
ment and fun for the kiddies. Mother has 
the same old problem with her youngster 
who stubbornly refuses to eat his spinach. 
The ringmaster of the animal crackers 
comes to life and promises to put on a 
circus revue if laddy will eat his cooked 
grass. And so he does as clowns, bare- 
back riders, lions, horses, etc., cavort. 
Laddy falls asleep before the show is over 
and a great time is had by all. Don’t miss 
this one as a special treat for juvenile 
patronage. And don’t overlook the adults 
for they are bound to like it, too. 


Jaipur , the Pink City 

M-G-M (FitzPatrick Traveltalk) 9 Minutes 

There have been travelogues about In- 
dia, but this one is in a class by itself. 
The magnificent homes of the wealthy — 
modernistic affairs — are pictured in sharp 
contrast to the ways and habits of the 
less fortunate classes. With fine color 
tones bringing out the pink hue which 
mark Jaipur’s buildings, the producer cen- 
ters his camera chiefly on the market 
place where cows amble down the main 
street with the same regard as any other 
citizen. Men mostly specialize in em- 
broidering and some of their specimens 
are shown. Tourists astride elephants on 
the five-mile ride from Amber and the 
market place where natives display their 
wares are colorful scenes. This is the third 
of the new season’s series. 


Sea Melody 

RKO (Headliner) 19 Minutes 

This might be stretching one good reel 
to two fair ones, but it largely depends 
on the local popularity of Bandmaster 
Ted Fio Rito and his very competent mu- 
sicians. It’s about half Fio Rito and half 
“story.” The latter doesn’t exactly intrude, 
but it reduces the volume of swell dance 
and novelty tunes. While on a nationwide 
tour the guitarist leaves the band to get 
married. Unknown to the boys, the knot- 
ting never comes off; the prospective 
bride’s mother having a singing count in 
mind. The band somehow gets stranded 
on a Honolulu-bound boat, also carrying 
the count, mother and girl. The boys 
ruin the count’s song recital with alum, 
put on their own show and bring the happy 
couple together. 


How to Read 

M-G-M (Robert Benchley) 9 Minutes 

Another droll dissertation by that very 
funny man, Robert Benchley. Although 
not as hilarious as some of his out- 
standing efforts, it is still far above the 
average comedy. Benchley can invest the 
slightest situation with more pure humor 
than any other comedian on the screen 
today. He does it as he goes through his 
various maneuvers in showing the audi- 
ence what the proper position for read- 
ing it. Other examples are trying to read 
in your club, in a subway and listening to 
your wife read. A splendid asset to any 
program. 


"Lights Out" 

Vitaphone (Varieties) 21 Minutes 

A darn good musical subject with Pat 
Rooney as limber as ever with his legs. A 
slight yarn is threaded through the musi- 
cal interpolations and has to do with a 
chorine wanting to go on the stage and 
Rooney hankering for a good corned beef 
sandwich. As it turns out, the girl 
chucks her stage ambitions overboard and 
opens a sandwich shop adjacent to 


Rooney’s night club. Both are successful. 
There is no stinting on sets and the music, 
plus Rooney’s tap dancing combine for a 
pleasing “between features” release. 


Beaux and Errors 

RKO (Edgar Kennedy) 18 Minutes 

Edgar Kennedy is back with a face full 
of the sort of characteristic humor that 
has recently made him a favorite in fea- 
ture length films. He hits a bull’s eye, 
too. While the laughs don’t come with 
machine-gun rapidity they are present in 
very large doses. It seems Edgar is neglect- 
ing his personal tidiness to the irritation 
of wife Vivian Oakland. To prove his 
superiority over a pre-marital rival, Ed- 
gar, at the suggestion of father-in-law, 
invites him for the weekend. The old 
flame, pa-in-law says, has grown fat and 
flabby. But the invited guest turns out 
to be an Adonis. It seems, further, that 
pa-in-law mistook Doolan for Dugan. 
Of course things complicate themselves 
beautifully, with Edgar coming off second 
best all around. It’s sure-fire fun for those 
who want to laugh. 


Football Thrills 

M-G-M (Pete Smith Specialty) 10 Minutes 

Pete Smith is right on time with this 
corking sport short. He has selected eight 
of the most outstanding football games 
of 1937 and presented the highlights of 
each. This collection of action shots will 
stir the blood and awaken warm memories 
among football fans. Last year’s All- 
American Clint Frank figures in a major 
portion of the short. His gridiron feats 
are already history and the thrilling ex- 
cerpts of the Dartmouth-Yale game have 
yet to be surpassed on the screen. Other 
teams that figure in the short are Purdue, 
Northwestern, U. S. C., UCLA, Fordham, 
Harvard, Princeton, Cornell, Army and 
Texas Christian. It’s a darb for exploi- 
tation and showmen should consult the 
football schedules for tieups. 


Submarine Circus 

RKO (Reelisms) 10 Minutes 

One of the swellest novelty subjects to 
hit a projection room screen in months. 
With the exception of a few introductory 
and closing frames, the entire reel is 
taken under water in a crystal clear stream 
in Silver Springs, Fla. It’s not just a 
conglomeration of below level shots but 
an adroitly conceived stunt that serves as 
a pastime for expert swimmers. A group 
of about 20 or 25 build and anchor on 
the bottom of the stream an attractive 
set of booths that constitute a circus 
front. Then the show starts and it is an 
arresting sight to see tight-rope walkers, 
hot dog munchers and lemonade sippers 
perform under water. To round it out 
the camera shows how the shots are taken. 
Bound to please. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


27 


"BOYS TOWN" AGAIN HAS TOP SPOT OF WEEK 


BOSTON 


Fenway — Spawn of the North (Para) ; Safety 

in Numbers (20th-Fox) 70 

Memorial — My Lucky Star (20th-Fox); Meet 

the Girls (20th-Fox) 110 

Metropolitan — Four’s a Crowd (WB) ; Sons of 

the Legion (Para) 90 

Orpheum — Three Loves Has Nancy (M-G-M) ; 

The Chaser (M-G-M) 115 

Paramount — Same as Fenway 75 

State — Same as Orpheum 105 


CHARLOTTE 


Broadway — Mr. Moto Takes a Chance (20th- 

Fox), 1st half . ..100 

Broadway — Freshman Year (TJniv), 2nd half. . 85 

Imperial — Carefree (RKO) 110 

State — Trail of Vengeance (Rep). 1st half.... 90 
State — Highway Patrol (Col), 2nd half 100 


CHICAGO 

Apollo — Alexander’s Ragtime Band (20th-Fox) 


5th loop wk 90 

Chicago — Spawn of the North (Para), Ed 

Sullivan on stage 85 

Garrick — Hold That Co-ed (20th-Fox) 110 

Palace — Room Service (RKO), stage show, held 

2nd wk 150 

Roosevelt — I Am the Law (Col) 110 

(Moved to Apollo for 2nd loop wk.) 

State-Lake — Slander House (Progressive), 

stage show 100 


United Artists — Marie Antoinette (M-G-M). 


5th wk 95 


CINCINNATI 

Albee — Four Daughters (FN), held over 120 

Capitol — Marie Antoinette (M-G-M), 2nd wk.. 

held U° 

Grand — Carefree (RKO), 4th wk 100 

Keith's — Give Me a Sailor (Para) 100 

Lyric — My Lucky Star (20th-Fox). 2nd wk 110 

Palace — Three Loves Has Nancy (M-G-M) 

held 11® 

Shubert — Alexander’s Ragtime Band (20th- 

Fox), 5th wk., held over 115 


CLEVELAND 


Allen — My Lucky Star (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 125 

Hippodrome — Four Daughters (FN) 120 


Palace — The Affairs of Annabel (RKO), stage 

Zasu Pitts and vaudeville 105 

State — Boys Town (M-G-M) 140 

Stillman — Spawn of the North (Para), 2nd wk. .100 

DALLAS 


Capitol — Speed to Burn (20th-Fox), 1st half. ... 85 

Capitol — Prison Break (Univ), 2nd half 100 

Majestic — Sing You Sinners (Para) 125 

Melba — Breaking the Ice (RKO) 90 

Palace — Four Daughters (FN) 100 

Tower — My Lucky Star (20th-Fox), 2nd wk. ..100 


DENVER 

Aladdin — My Lucky Star (20th-Fox), after a 

wk. at the Denver 100 

Broadway — Carefree (RKO); Smashing Rackets 


(RwO)', both after a wk. at the Orpheum.. 110 
Denham — Spawn of the North (Para), 2nd wk. .120 
Denver — Boy Meets Girl (WB), plus stage 

show 115 

Orpheum — Three Loves Has Nancy (M-G-M) ; 

Fugitives for a Night (RKO) 125 

Paramount — The Lady Objects (Col); Reform- 
atory (Col) 90 

Rialto — Letter of Introduction (Univ), after a 
wk. at each the Denver and Aladdin; High- 
way Patrol (Col) 90 


DETROIT 

Adams — Alexander’s Ragtime Band (20th-Fox) 


5th wk. ; Speed to Burn (20th-Fox) 85 

Cinema — Moonlight Sonata (Malmar) 60 

Fox — Hold That Co-Ed (20th-Fox), plus stage 

show 80 

Michigan. — Three Loves Has Nancy (M-G-M); 

Rich Man, Poor Girl (M-G-M) 85 

Palms-State — Smashing the Rackets (RKO); 

Painted Desert (RKO) 70 

United Artists- — Boys Town (M-G-M) 95 


INDIANAPOLIS 

Alamo — Renegade Ranger (RKO), 1st half.... 80 
Alamo — Hollywood Stadium Mystery (Rep), 

2nd half 50 

Apollo — Racket Busters (WB) 70 

Circle — Carefree (RKO) 90 

Loew’s — Boys Town (M-G-M) 90 

Lyric — Four’s a Crowd (WB), plus stage 

show 120 


(AVERAGE IS 100%) 


Top Hits of the Week 


Boys Town — Pittsburgh 260 

Rich Man, Poor Girl — Minne- 
apolis (stage show) 250 

Boys Town (dual) — Los 

Angeles 180 

Boys Town — Kansas City, New 
Haven 150 

Room Service (2nd wk) — 

Chicago 150 

Sing, You Sinners (dual) — 

New Haven 145 

Spawn of the North — New 
Orleans 145 

EXTENDED RUNS 


Alexander’s Ragtime Hand, 7th wk., Port- 
land, Ore.; 6th wk., Kansas City; 5th wk., 
Chicago; 5th wk., Cincinnati; 4th wk., 
New Orleans. 

Marie Antoinette, 5th wk., Chicago; 4th 
wk., New York City. 

Carefree, 4th wk., Cincinnati. 

Boys Town, 3rd wk., Omaha, Portland, 
Ore. 

You Can’t Take It With You, 3rd wk.. 

New York City. 


KANSAS CITY 


Esquire — Letter of Introduction (Univ), 

holdover fair 

Midland — Boys Town (M-G-M); Banger on 

the Air (Univ) 150 

Newman — Boy Meets Girl (WB) 70 

Orpheum — Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse (FN)...good 

Tower — Freshman Year (Univ); Benny Good- 
man on stage 300 

Uptown — Alexander’s Ragtime Band (20th- 

Fox), 6th wk 85 


LOS ANGELES 


Chinese — Boys Town (M-G-M); Speed to Burn 

(20th-Fox) 150 

Downtown — Four Daughters (FN), 2nd wk 80 

Four Star — Algiers (UA), 11th wk 60 

Hillstreet — I Am the Law (Col) ; The Lady 

Objects (Col) 125 

Hollywood — Same as Downtown 80 

Pantages — Same as Hillstreet 125 

Paramount — Sons of the Legion (Para), Mar- 
tha Raye, Stroud Twins and guest stars on 

stage 120 

State — Same as Chinese 180 


MILWAUKEE 


Palace — Spawn of the North (Para); Give 

Me a Sailor (Para) 135 

Riverside — Freshman Year (Univ), vaudeville .. 110 

Strand — Marie Antoinette (M-G-M) 100 

Warner — Carefree (RKO); Smashing the 

Rackets (RKO) 100 

Wisconsin — Boys Town (M-G-M) ; Speed to 

Burn (20th-Fox) 140 


MINNEAPOLIS 


Aster — Keep Smiling (20th-Fox); Old 

Mexico (Para) 100 

Century — Give Me a Sailor (Para) 80 

Orpheum — Rich Man, Poor Girl (M-G-M), 

plus stage show 250 

State — Sing You Sinners (Para) 100 

World — South Riding (UA) 80 


NEW HAVEN 

College— Breaking the lee (RKO); Night Spot 

(RKO) 75 


Loew-Poli — Boys Town (M-G-M); Safety in 
Numbers (20th-Fox), moved to College for 

2nd wk 150 

Paramount — Sing You Sinners (Para); Booloo 

(Para), held 6 extra days 145 

Roger Sherman — Algiers (UA1; This Marriage 
Business (RKO) 115 


NEW ORLEANS 


Center — Little Miss Thoroughbred (WB) 85 

Globe — Tropic Holiday (Para) 75 

Liberty — King Kong (RKO), reissue 100 

Loew’s State — Boys Town (M-G-M), 2nd wk. ..100 

Orpheum — Boy Meets Girl (WB) 110 

Saenger — Spawn of the North (Para) 145 

Tudor — Alexander’s Ragtime Band (20th-Fox) 

4th subsequent wk 85 


NEW YORK CITY 


Astor — Marie Antoinette (M-G-M), 4th wk 

of roadshow 100 

Capitol — Boys Town (M-G-M), 2nd wk 120 

Criterion — Come On, Leathernecks (Rep) 75 

Paramount — Spawn of the North (Para), 2nd 

wk. plus stage show 120 

Radio City Music Hall — Yon Can’t Take It 
With Yon (Col), 3rd wk. plus stage show.... 125 

Rialto — Painted Desert (RKO) 75 

Roxy— My Lucky Star (20th-Fox), 2nd wk. 

plus stage show 90 

Strand — Valley of the Giants (WB), 2nd wk. 
plus stage show 100 


OKLAHOMA CITY 


Criterion — Sing You Sinners (Para) 105 

Liberty — Rich Man, Poor Girl (M-G-M); Prison 

Break (Univ), 4 days 110 

Liberty — When Were You Born? (FN); 

Meet the Girls (20th-Fox), 3 days 100 

Midwest--Boys Town (M-G-M) 135 

State — A Star Is Born (UA) ; Come On 

Leathernecks (Rep) 75 

Tower — Marie Antoinette (M-G-M), move over 
from Criterion 110 


OMAHA 

Brandeis — -Four Daughters (FN) ; I’m From 


the City (RKO), 2nd wk 120 

Omaha — Boys Town (M-G-M), 3rd wk 110 

Orpheum — Give Me a Sailor (Para); Stage: 

Horace Heidt 130 


PITTSBURGH 


Alvin — The Gladiator (Col); Reformatory 

(Col) 80 

Barry — Convicted (Col); King of the Sierras 

(Col) 90 

Fulton — My Lucky Star (20th-Fox) 95 

Penn — Boys Town (M-G-M) 260 

Stanley — Valley of the Giants (WB) ; Jan Gar- 
ber stage show 110 

Warner — Rich Man, Poor Girl (M-G-M); 

Booloo (Para) 80 


PORTLAND, ME. 

State — Boy Meets Girl (WB) ; The Chaser 

(M-G-M) 100 

PORTLAND, ORE. 

Broadway — Garden of the Moon (WB) ; Gangs 


of New York (Rep) 100 

Mayfair — Alexander’s Ragtime Band (20th- 

Fox), 7th wk 90 

Orpheum — I Am the Law (Col); Affairs of 

Annabel (RKO) 90 

Paramount — Four’s a Crowd (WB); Highway 

Patrol (Col) 110 

United Artists — Boys Town (M-G-M); Fresh- 
man Year (Univ), 3rd wk 100 


PROVIDENCE 

All first-run operation suspended because 
of storm. 

SALT LAKE CITY 

Capitol — Always Goodbye (20th-Fox); Smash- 


ing the Rackets (RKO), plus stage show.... 105 

Centre — Algiers (UA) 105 

Mario — Sing Yon Sinners (Para), 2nd wk 105 

Paramount — Too Hot to Handle (M-G-M) 100 

Studio — Boys Town (M-G-M), 2nd wk 110 

Utah — Hold That Co-ed (20th-Fox) 95 

Victory — Boots and Saddles (Rep); Hunted 

Men (Para) 105 


28 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 





SAG AND PRODUCERS FIND PATH TO PEACE 


Union Under Autonomy Setup 
As I A TSE Clash Is Postponed 


An Eight- Year Guild Shop 
Contract Is Signed 
By Principals 


While three locals of the International 
Alliance of Theatrical Employes com- 
pleted election of officers and threw off 
the IATSE cloak under terms of the recent 
order by which the IA granted them com- 
plete autonomy, airing of charges that the 
IATSE is a “company controlled union” 
was indefinitely postponed at national 
labor relations board headquarters here. 

The temporary armistice in what is 
looked upon as a potentially stormy hear- 
ing was granted by Dr. Towne Nylander, 
NLRB regional director, upon the request 
of attorneys for the major production com- 
panies which were accused by Jeff Kibre, 
self-claimed head of the Motion Picture 
Technicians Committee and former mem- 
ber of Local 37, IATSE of paying William 
Bioff, IA executive, $100,000 for “selling 
the union down the river.” 

Producer attorneys pleaded that the 
current Screen Directors Guild hearing is 
claiming so much of their time that they 
have been unable to prepare properly for 
the new session. 

Meantime, the Photographers Local, 659; 
Technicians Local, 37, and Laboratory 
Workers Local, 683, chose officers and 
board members in balloting sessions and 
prepared to begin operations as autono- 
mous unions. The photographers chose 
Hal Mohr as president; Herbert Aller, 
business manager; Leon Shamroy, Lucien 
Ballard and William Skall, vice-presi- 
dents; James King, secretary, and Len 
Powers, sergeant-at-arms, as well as three 
trustees and nine board members. 

Laboratory workers elected Thomas C. 
Bryan, president and business manager; 
Joseph Pruett, vice-president; David G. 

"Jesse James" Troupe 

Returning to Studios 

Virtually all of the cast and crew of 
20th Century-Fox’s “Jesse James,” head- 
ed by Director Henry King and cast-top- 
pers Tyrone Power and Henry Fonda, 
were expected back at the studios early 
this week after spending several weeks on 
location in Pineville, Mo. 


Lory, secretary-treasurer, and William 
Kislingbury, recording secretary. 

Most spirited of the elections was that 
of Technicians Local, 37, where Lew C. G. 
Blix won out for the hotly-contested posi- 
tion of business manager. Approximately 
4,000 ballots were cast. 

Meantime the NLRB and its director, 
Dr. Nylander, recorded their usual busy 
week. Nylander hosted Donald Wakefield 
Smith, an NLRB executive, who arrived 
for a one-day tour of inspection and left 
for San Diego after discussing pending 
film cases and other business in the local 
office. Nylander also announced post- 
ponement of the hearing on the recogni- 
tional petition of the Screen Publicists 
Guild until the SDG hearing has been 
wound up, and disclosed that he will set 
a date for an election of studio scenic 
artists some time next week. Balloting 
will be resorted to to settle a jurisdictional 
dispute between the Motion Picture Paint- 
ers Local, 644, and the Scenic Artists 
Guild. 

Among other labor activities was a 
membership meeting of the Musicians Pro- 
tective Ass’n, Local 47, of the American 
Federation of Musicians, at which several 
constitutional amendments were voted 
upon; the departure of Joseph Marshall, 
vice-president of the Studio Utility Em- 
ployes for Houston, Tex., to attend the 
American Federation of Labor convention 
there, and the return to Hollywood of Pat. 
Casey, producer-labor contact, after spend- 
ing some time in New York conferring 
with union leaders on the federal wage- 
hour law which goes into effect in 
October. 

P. /. Wolf son Gets RKO 
Producer-Director Pact 

P. J. Wolfson has been handed a pro- 
ducer-director pact at RKO. First as- 
signment under the new deal will be “The 
Pure in Mind,” scheduled for an early 
October start, for which Wolfson has 
signed James McCallion, Walter Ward and 
Charles Powers, New York stage actors. 


Coming as a startling contrast to the 
entangled recognitional campaigns of its 
two running mates — the Screen Directors 
and Screen Writers Guilds — and construed 
in some quarters as indicating that a gen- 
eral armistice in the Guild-producer bat- 
tles may be declared, is the disclosure that 
the Screen Actors Guild and the producers 
have effected a new eight-year Guild shop 
contract, replacing the ten-year pact sign- 
ed a little more than a year ago. 

Ratification of the new pact, which will 
become effective November 1, will obviate 
the necessity for resorting to arbitration 
to break the deadlock in which the produc- 
ers and actors found themselves during 
their recent negotiations for amendments 
to the now-scrapped contract. The arbi- 
tration board which had been set up to 
settle the dispute, and which had held one 
preliminary meeting, will be disbanded. 

Chief points of the new agreement in- 
clude a maximum hour regulation, pro- 
viding for a 48-hour week, time and a half 
for overtime for freelance and contract 
players receiving $500 weekly or less, and 
a minimum 12-hour rest period for all 
players receiving $1,000 weekly or less. 

Also provided for is the setting up of a 
permanent committee of three — one se- 
lected by the SAG, one by the producers 
and the third chosen jointly by the two— 
and the granting to it of powers to arbi- 
trate any and all disputes which may 
spring up in the employment of extras and 
bit players. The committee will be author- 
ized to thoroughly investigate the extra 
problem. Included is an improved pro- 
cedure for granting of waivers by the 
Guild for the employment of extras when 
such waivers are considered necessary to 
expedite production or cut unnecessary 
expense. 

Signatories to the pact include Hal 
Roach, RKO Radio, Paramount, Warner, 
20th Century-Fox, Loew’s, Inc., Universal, 
Walter Wanger, Selznick International, 
Columbia, Samuel Goldwyn, and “such 
other parties who are producer signa- 
tories to the producer-Screen Actors Guild 
basic minimum contract of 1937” — com- 
prising scores of independent film-makers. 

(Continued on page 33) 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 H 


29 


Independent Ranks Grow Strong 
As Film Stars Establish Firms 


Indicative of the growing trend toward 
the establishment of production units by 
film stars, and at the same time giving 
additional strength to the independent 
film-making scene for the 1938-39 sea- 
son, was the incorporation in Sacramento 
of the Mae West Empire Pictures Corp., 
with the curvaceous star at its head, fi- 
nanced to the extent of $5,000,000. 

Reported, several weeks ago, as being 
on the verge of realization, the formation 
of the West company was accomplished 
by Miss West, Louis Lurie, a San Fran- 
cisco financier, Ralph Pincus, a Bay City 
theatre operator, and James Timony, Miss 
West’s business manager. Under present 
plans, four films will be made yearly, 
with “Catherine the Great” to be the ini- 
tialer. Miss West will appear in two of 
them, including "Catherine,” while the 
other pair will be made under her super- 
vision. 

Lurie Is President 

Lurie draws the title of president, with 
Miss West as vice-president. Negotiations 
are now underway for studio space here, 
as well as for release of the films, first of 
which is to start in December. 

Meantime, another similar setup, the 
Ernst Lubitsch Productions, which was 
formed by Lubitsch in partnership with 
his agent, Myron Selznick, took space at 
Selznick International studios during the 
week, with plans to launch production of 
its first film offering, “The Shop Around 
the Corner,” early in October. Release 
channels for the Lubitsch product are be- 
ing worked out in New York by Henry 
Henigson, general manager. 

Other independent activity found Stan- 
dard Pictures planning a September 29 
start on the first of its “Headley Family” 
series. Shooting at Grand National, Stan- 
dard’s initialer is titled “The Headley 
Family at Home,” and was to be directed 
by Chris Beute. Ralph Morgan and Eve- 
lyn Venable head the cast. Initialer in 
the company’s second series, based on the 
“20,000,000 Witnesses” detective thrillers, 
goes before the cameras October 10 under 
the title “The Keyhole Kerry.” 

B. W. Richards, president of Standard, 
left for the east over the weekend on a 
talent hunt, accompanied by George E. 
Trainer, a member of Standard’s board 
of directors. 

Symphonic at General 

Preparing to launch production of three 
musical featurettes for Paramount, Sym- 
phonic Films has taken space at General 
Service studios. The National Symphonic 
orchestra, under the direction of Fred- 
erick Feher, is to be featured in the 
briefies, of which several have already 
been made for Paramount release. 

Majestic Pictures has finished “Masked 
Phantom,” first of a series of eight west- 
erns which it will make for Bennie F. 
Zeidman’s Malcolm Browne Productions 
on the 1938-39 slate. 

Branching out from his production 

(Continued on page 34) 


For "King" Premiere 



Here’s Ellen Drew, Paramount’s new 
starlet, boarding the train which car- 
ried her to Chicago, to visit old friends, 
and on to New York to appear as 
guest of honor at the premiere of 
Frank Lloyd’s “If I Were King,’’ in 
which she has the second feminine 
lead. 

Active Production 
Slows P. A. Tours 

The increase in production activity and 
the expectancy of an even greater boom 
during the next few weeks evidently play- 
ed their part in curbing the trend toward 
personal appearance tours on the part of 
Hollywood screen folk, many of whom in 
the past several months have resorted to 
p.a. treks to fill in the time between pic- 
ture engagements. 

Freddie Bartholomew’s projected jaunt, 
v/hich had already been postponed once, 
was once again set back — this time be- 
cause of the flood and hurricane in New 
England. The Metro moppet, who had 
been scheduled to open in Providence, Oc- 
tober 6, skips that city as the opener, 
going instead to New York October 13. 
He moves thence to Philadelphia, Pitts- 
burgh and then to Providence, hitting the 
latter city November 4. Freddie’s tour 
was disrupted a few weeks ago when 
“Listen, Darling,” his current Metro pic- 
ture, was delayed by the injuries received 
by Mary Astor, featured in the cast. 


To Direct Corrigan 

Leigh Jason will direct “Born to Fly,” 
starring Douglas (Wrong Way) Corrigan. 


Avert Split 
In Academy 


The threat of a complete blowup of the 
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sci- 
ences and its efforts to reorganize as 
a “cultural clearing house” — divorcing it- 
self from the economic and political rami- 
fications of the industry — was set back 
indefinitely when, meeting quickly to avert 
the schism, the organization’s board of di- 
rectors refused to accept the resignations 
of Frank Capra, W. S. Van Dyke and 
Howard Estabrook. 

It was this trio of directors who tossed 
the bomb into the Academy’s reorganiza- 
tion plans a few days earlier by demand- 
ing that the producers resign from the 
Academy “as a manifestation of good faith” 
and charging that reorganization was im- 
possible so long as the producers were 
members of the body. 

The Academy board likewise refused the 
resignations of Darryl F. Zanuck, E. J. 
Mannix and David O. Selznick, the pro- 
ducers who were on the reorganization 
committee. 

The announced postponement of the re- 
organization plan means that the several 
cultural and educational projects which 
had been planned, including the estab- 
lishment of a clubhouse, scholarships in 
the industry for promising university 
graduates, and a projected radio program, 
will be dropped. 

“The board felt that the future of the 
Academy is too important to the industry 
to be jeopardized by any individual resig- 
nations at this time,” was the official com- 
ment from the Academy directorate. “The 
board decided to continue on its present 
basis until existing differences are ad- 
justed and a more harmonious condition 
shall exist in the industry.” 


Lucy Gilman Gets Lead 
Opposite Jackie Cooper 

Lucy Gilman has been given the lead 
opposite Jackie Cooper in “Eagle Scout,” 
the serial which Universal was to get be- 
fore the cameras this week. The 15-year- 
old actress played opposite Cooper in 
“Gangster’s Boy” at Monogram, which 
film went into the cutting-rooms over the 
weekend. She had been with the Colum- 
bia Network’s stock company in Chicago 
for the past ten years. 

Bill Cody jr., Jason Robards, Frank 
Coughlan jr., Sydney Miller and Ralph 
Dunn draw supporting roles in the chap- 
ter play. 


Metro Making "Power" 

“Power,” third of M-G-M’s “Romance 
of Celluloid” reels, has gone into produc- 
tion with Frank Whitbeck producing. 
The film, which will point out the im- 
portance of electrical power in picture- 
making, also will reveal the important 
films scheduled for release by Metro dur- 
ing the next few months. 


30 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


Production Rainbow Bright With 
43 Working and 11 Readg to Go 


Launch Two 
Radio Shows 

Launching of two more airshows and 
the unofficial opening of the National 
Broadcasting Co.’s new Hollywood studios 
kept Radio Row activities moving apace 
during the week, with the local broad- 
casting scene gradually coming to life af- 
ter an inert summer. 

The new Bob Hope variety show got the 
go signal on Tuesday as a weekly offer- 
ing via NBC. First guest star was Con- 
stance Bennett, with Olivia deHavilland 
set to follow next week. Resuming his 
transcontinental airings after a summer 
lull was George Fischer, film gossip com- 
mentator, over the Don Lee-Mutual net- 
work. Joan Blondell was to be his guest 
on the initialer. 

Although formal dedication of the new 
NBC studios is not scheduled until late 
in October, the Signal Carnival, a weekly 
show, will move into the plant on Sunday, 
forced to transfer from the old NBC out- 
let because of the return to the airlanes 
of Jack Benny on that date. By the end 
of October approximately 25 employes of 
the network who are now housed in San 
Francisco will be transferred here to com- 
plete the occupation of the new quarters. 

In a move toward local expansion of its 
radio activities, the Rockwell-O’Keefe Ad- 
vertising agency transferred Ralph Won- 
ders to Hollywood to head the agency’s 
offices here. Wonders at one time was 
head of Columbia Artists Bureau in New 
York. Another agency representative, 
George McGarrett of Lord and Thomas, 
arrived on Sunday to handle the W. C. 
Fields appearances on the Lucky Strike 
Hit Parade. 

"Tailspin Tommy " Rights 
Acquired by Monogram 

Screen rights to “Tailspin Tommy,” 
comic strip, have been garnered by Mono- 
gram from its creator, Hal Forrest, and a 
deal has been signed with the recently- 
formed Paul Malvern Productions where- 
by the latter will film six features for 
Monogram release. 

Malvern has booked John Trent, for- 
mer transcontinental airline pilot who ap- 
peared in several B. P. Schulberg pictures, 
for the title role. Initialer in the series is 
expected to get into work about December 
1 at Talisman Studios, Monogram head- 
quarters, after Malvern has completed the 
balance of the Bob Baker westerns on 
which he is associate producer for Trem 
Carr at Universal. 


Goldwyn Borrows LeBorg 

Samuel Goldwyn has borrowed Reginald 
LeBorg from Universal’s music depart- 
ment to act as musical director on scenes 
in “The Restless Age” which involve Jas- 
cha Heifetz, noted violinist. Director Wil- 
liam Wyler has started shooting musical 
sequences. 


Mayor in Hollywood 



Taking time out from his activities as 
an American Legion conventionite, 
Mayor Fiorello La Guardia of New 
York City drops in on the set of Sam- 
uel Goldwyn’s ‘The Restless Age” to 
discuss politics and pictures with 
Goldwyn, on the right, and Walter 
Wanger, center. Wanger was a war- 
time comrade of the fiery civic leader. 

An Industry Short 
For National Push 

Timed to give the Motion Pictures’ 
Greatest Year business drive new impetus 
just when executive committee heads feel 
it will be needed most, Hollywood’s prin- 
cipal contribution — the all-industry short 
subject, “The World Is Yours,” will be 
ready for distribution to the nation’s 17,- 
000 theatres about October 15, according 
to Frank Whitbeck, Metro advertising 
executive who is producing the film. 

Coincident with the announcement from 
New York by Howard Dietz, promotion 
chairman, that a substantial increase in 
theatre patronage has already been noted 
as a result of the $1,000,000 drive, local 
committee members turned their efforts 
toward cooperating with Whitbeck in 
rushing the short subject to completion. 
David Snell of Metro’s music department, 
is well under way with the music scoring 
chore and the film is now being edited by 
Basil Wrangell, who directed. 


Adapts London Yarns 

“Under Northern Lights,” adapted from 
Jack London’s “Wolf Call,” and “Star Re- 
porter,” by A1 Block, have been lined up 
as starring vehicles for John Carroll at 
Monogram. 


Showing a definite gain over last week 
and promising still further increases, the 
production index hit the 43-picture mark 
with an additional 11 features on the start- 
ing line awaiting the nod. 

Indicating that it means business, as 
evidenced in the sensational spurt regis- 
tered last week, Universal continued to 
head the list as most active studio, by 
launching two more films — one feature 
and a serial — to keep its sound stages 
crowded with nine productions. Getting 
the gun were “Eagle Scout,” the Jackie 
Cooper chapter play, and “Little Tough 
Guys in Society,” with Erie Kenton direct- 
ing and Max Golden as producer. Six 
more will roll before mid-October, includ- 
ing the Danielle Darrieux vehicle, “Rio;” 
W. C. Fields in “You Can’t Cheat an Hon- 
est Man;” “Three Smart Girls Grow Up;” 
and “Black Fleet.” 

Number two in point of activity was 
Paramount, which gunned “Riders of the 
Range,” — a “Hopalong Cassidy” western 
and “Ambush,” the Gladys Swarthout 
starrer, to boost its total from six to eight. 
The Marathon St. plant will have a busy 
October schedule, with nine already lined 
up, including such high-budget offerings 
as Cecil B. DeMille’s “Union Pacific;” “The 
Lady’s From Kentucky,” starring George 
Raft; “Hotel Imperial,” debuting Isa Mi- 
randa; “Grade Allen Murder Case” and 
others. 

Twentieth Century-Fox also registered 
eight in work, starting Shirley Temple’s 
“Little Princess” and “Tailspin,” with 
Alice Faye and Constance Bennett, and 
recording a two-picture gain over last 
week. The Zanuck plant has “The Three 
Musketeers,” “Thanks for Everything,” “A 
Bundle of Joy,” a re-make of “The Cisco 
Kid,” and “He Married His Wife” on late 
October schedules. 

Warner planned to launch “Juarez,” 
with Paul Muni, as the week progressed, 
giving it a seven-picture total. Windup 
of three productions over the week-end 
dragged the studio’s pace down from the 
nine pictures being filmed last week. Com- 
ing up are “The Desert Song,” “Brother 
Orchid,” starring Edward G. Robinson, 
and “Each Dawn I Die.” 

Metro, launching “The Ice Follies,” 
“Stand Up and Fight,” and “Spring 
Dance,” had seven pictures on the sound 
stages, with “New York Cinderella,” the 
next Hedy Lamarr vehicle, up for pro- 
duction early next week. Columbia spurt- 
ed by starting “That Woman’s Here 
Again,” and an untitled Buck Jones west- 
ern, being produced by Coronet Pictures, 
the plant thus listing four features and 
a serial in work. An early October start 
is planned for “Trail of the Tumbleweed,” 
a Charles Starrett western. 

Republic was to gun “Sam Houston,” 
with George Nicholls jr„ directing, later 
this week as one of its 1938-39 specials. 
Facing the cameras on Monday was “Rodeo 
(Continued on page 34) 


BOXOFFICE October 1, 1938 


31 




THE “COLOR” SITUATION 


By A. L. McCORMICK 


President, Cinecolor, Inc. 


J^VAILABLE statistics reveal that over 35 
substantially financed color film com- 
panies have been organized during the 
past 20 years. A conservative estimate 
would put the money invested in these 
enterprises at around $30,000,000. This 
money was promoted from private inves- 
tors, through stock flotations on Wall 
Street, from banks and the other usual 
sources. Many of the companies were 
out and out rackets, run by glib pro- 
moters. Others were legitimate in that 
they tried to develop a practical color 
process. But all ended up the same way 
— broke, and with nothing to show their 
investors. 

A surprising amount of trade paper 
space has been devoted recently to 
stories on the formation of new color com- 
panies and their elaborate plans for vol- 
ume production — yet nothing tangible to 
show in the nature of a product. There's 
no doubt that this kind of news makes 
fascinating reading, for the future of pic- 
tures lies with color, and the producer 
knows it. 

But if the members of the trade believe 
that there are, or will be soon, a dozen 
or so color processes from which to pick 
and choose, at prices running anywhere 
from ten per cent to 30 per cent lower than 
present costs — they are doomed to disap- 
pointment. The simple truth concerning 
the "color kaleidoscope" today is that 
there are actually only two proved, per- 
fected processes available — that have 
found general release — TECHNICOLOR 
and CINECOLOR. Cinecolor has over 
30,000,000 feet of film now being shown 
throughout the world. Technicolor has 
many times that amount. 

The difference of technique between 
these two processes is well known to the 
film industry. Technicolor uses a three- 
color method, its manner of printing giv- 
ing every color in the spectrum. Cine- 
color, to date, is a so-called two-color 
process. The comparison between T 
nicolor and Cinecolor has been likened to 
that between a Cadillac and a Buick. One 
is a high priced, magnificently uphol- 


stered job, the other, reasonable in 
handsome, a fine, all purpose vehicle. 

There is definitely no rivalry between 
Cinecolor and Technicolor. The latter or- 
ganization, with Doctor and Mrs. Herbert 
Kalmus at its head, has pioneered the 
color road, starting more than 20 years 
ago. Cinecolor is still a youngster, only 
six years of age, yet strong and lusty 
and growing fast. Each has its own busi- 
ness, its own clients. 

At this point, someone invariably asks. 
"But, what about Cinemachrome and 
Cosmocolor?" These two are not color pro- 
cesses, but methods of color photography. 
Cosmocolor's patents cover the double 
frame camera. Cinemachrome uses the 
alternate frame. Both differ from Bi-pack 
film which, incidentally, provides 97 pe 
cent of Cinecolor's business, is ackno 
ledged an excellent product, but it ca: 
not be used for motion pictures at present, 
because of the obvious impractibility of 
making copies. 

At the time ground was broken for 
Cinecolor's new $250,000 plant in Burbank, 
we made three rather startling announce- 
ments. One, that the building would have 
immediate facilities to turn out ONE MIL- 
LION FEET OF FILM A WEEK! Second, 
that a new three-color process would be 
available to Cinecolor clients. 

(Continued on 


SAG and Producers 
Find Peace Path 

(Continued on page 29) 

Both Ralph Morgan, newly-elected pres- 
ident of the SAG, and Joseph Schenck, 
president of the producers association, ex- 
pressed gratification at the peaceful and 
harmonious manner in which the SAG- 
producer differences were worked out. 

“We feel that the provisions of the 
agreement set up a foundation for future 
friendly relations between the players and 
the producers,” Morgan said, “and that 
they chart the path for a satisfactory ad- 
justment of differences not only in this 
industry but in others as well.” 

“Frank recognition of each other’s 
problems, and mutual willingness to make 
concessions for the benefit of all, made 
possible this constructive achievement,” 
Schenck commented. “The producers feel 
these and similar provisions” — referring to 
the phases of the new pact — “establish a 
firm foundation for friendly relations be- 
tween all groups in our business, and point 
the way for other branches of the indus- 
try toward a sensible and satisfactory ad- 
justment of existing differences.” 

Robert Montgomery, retiring president 
of the SAG; Kenneth Thomson, executive 
secretary; and Laurence Beilenson, coun- 
sel for the Guild, represented the actors 
in drawing up the new contract, while 
Darryl Zanuck, E. J. Mannix and Edwin 
J. Loeb sat in for the producers. 

Agents Are Next 

Thus the SAG surmounts one of the 
hurdles which had been on its “things to 
do” calendar for the month. Next item 
of business to which the Guild will turn its 
attention will be enforcement of the re- 
cently adopted amendment whereby rela- 
tions between actors and their talent 
agents are to be more stringently scrutin- 
ized. A meeting between the SAG and the 
Artists Managers Guild, representing some 
dozen top talent agencies, was scheduled 
to be held late this week, at which at- 
tempts were to be made to iron out the 
details of the plan, under which the ten- 
percenters will be franchised along lines 
first adopted by Actors Equity. 

Meantime the Junior SAG met to con- 
sider the resignation of Jack Grant as 
vice-president and to take steps to fill 
vacancies in the council which were creat- 
ed by the resignations of Mel Forrester 
and Neil Hart some weeks ago. 

Notwithstanding the harmonious man- 
ner in which the Screen Actors Guild set- 
tled its differences with the producers and 
gained a new eight-year contract, two 
other labor organizations — the Screen Di- 
rectors and Screen Writers Guilds — seem 
destined, through developments this week, 
to continue their respective tooth-and- 
nail battles with the major production 
companies for recognition. 

The SWG added another chapter to its 
two-year-old fight when, spurred by the 
enthusiastic support and acclaim of its 
members at a general meeting, Counsel 
Leonard Janofsky filed formal complaints 


against ten major studios with the na- 
tional labor relations board, charging the 
defendants with refusing to bargain for a 
working contract. 

That the SWG-producer fight will de- 
velop into a lengthy legal battle seemed 
certain as Dr. Towne Nylander, regional 
director of the NLRB, indicated he would 
immediately call a conference of the pro- 
ducer-defendants to determine whether 
the SWG’s charges are warranted. Should 
he so decide, formal complaints ordering 
a new NLRB hearing will be issued, and 
should the producers lose out at that time, 
they will with little doubt appeal the 
ruling to the United States circuit court 
of appeals and carry it on and up via 
every legal means. 

Recent SWG-producer peace negotia- 
tions were abandoned when the producers 
refused to bargain with the SWG as an ex- 
clusive representative for film scriveners. 

The mass meeting also voted to hold the 
SWG’s general election on November 9, 
while President Dudley Nichols appointed 
a nominating committee, comprising Mary 
McCall jr., Don Harman, Gordon Kahn, 
Curtis Kenyon, Jack Natteford, Maurice 
Rapf, Fred Rinaldo, Dore Schary and 
Tristram Tupper to draw up a slate of 
candidates. 

Prolong SDG Hearing 

Meantime the SDG hearing, in which 
the megaphonists charge the producers 
with unfair labor practices, entered its 
fifth week before NLRB examiners. The 
Guild having concluded its examination of 
witnesses, producer attorneys went into 
action by calling George Bagnall, Tenney 
Wright, Sid Roge'll and V. L. McFadden, 
studio managers at Paramount, Warners, 
RKO Radio and 20th Century-Fox re- 
spectively, to the stand to testify as to 
the duties of assistant directors and unit 
managers. Darryl Zanuck, Hal Wallis 
and Harry Joe Brown also offered testi- 
mony in support of the producers’ stand 
that assistants and unit men do not pro- 
perly belong within the directorial sphere 
and, consequently, should not be listed as 
members of the SDG. 

The SDG board of directors met to dis- 
cuss plans for a general membership meet- 
ing, which it will call upon conclusion of 
the current NLRB hearing, while earlier 
in the week the Junior SWG board of di- 
rectors met to receive a report on the 
progress of the hearing. 

Juveniles to Be Lesser's 
Production Bill of Fare 

Sol Lesser has decided to confine his fu- 
ture production activities to child pictures, 
abandoning his plans to make westerns 
and action films. Seven vehicles with juv- 
enile stars have been lined up for his 1938- 
39 program, including three Bobby Breen 
starrers for RKO Radio release; two 
“Peck’s Bad Boy” films and a third as yet 
unannounced, starring Tommy Kelly, on 
loan from Selznick International; and one 
starring Irene Dare, six-year-old ice 
skater. 

The first Breen picture will be “Fisher- 
man’s Wharf,” starting in about three 
three weeks, to be followed by “Streets of 
New York.” The Dare assignment is “The 
Silver Skates.” 


Grand National in 
Two Sales Meetings 

The spotlight which has been focused 
on the Grand National-Educational mer- 
ger and conjectures as to the new com- 
pany’s product lineup and distribution set- 
up for the 1938-39 season shifted east- 
ward again this week — this time to Chi- 
cago — when Earle W. Hammons, president 
of the New Grand National, trained out 
for the east after completing final de- 
tails for the amalgamation here. 

His expected announcement as to prod- 
uct and sales organization, however, was 
withheld, with studio attaches announcing 
that two conventions were to be sched- 
uled. First of them is to be in Chicago 
on Saturday, October 1, the second in 
New York a week later. The new com- 
pany’s 1938-39 schedule will be announced 
to district managers and salesmen in the 
Windy City by Edward Alperson, vice- 
president and sales chief. 

Jack Skirball, whose post as general 
production manager has been generally 
accepted but not formally ratified, will 
attend the second convention in New 
York. 

Hammons, it was also announced, will 
embark for London after the New York 
meeting to confer with financiers there 
on a possible monetary transaction and 
product deal. While here he turned over 
$150,000, as per agreement, to Alperson 
for use in effecting a settlement of cred- 
itors’ claims for those who are unwilling 
to accept stock in the new company. 

Standard Status Soon 

Expected to be answered at the Chi- 
cago meeting was the outcome of nego- 
tiations with B. W. Richards’ Standard 
Pictures, which has launched a 16-pic- 
ture independent production program and 
which, it has been reported, may release 
through GN. First of the Standard quota 
was to get underway on the GN lot late 
this week, the company having signed a 
72-day lease for shooting and office space. 

Meantime, with GN finally out of its 
77B status, attention was turned on Har- 
man-Ising Pictures, Inc., the cartoon-pro- 
ducing organization which went into bank- 
ruptcy last July. A federal court hearing 
was set on H-I’s petition to sell three 
partially-completed cartoons to Harry 
Wurtzel, local agent and financier, for 
$25,000 — which sum, the company asserts, 
will enable it to settle its obligations and 
remove the 77B cloak. 

H-I has also requested federal court 
for permission to assign its lease bn some 
studio property to Walt Disney Produc- 
tions and to rent its equipment to the 
Disney organization. 


Megs Fields' Next 

Twentieth Century-Fox has loaned Di- 
rector George Marshall to Universal to 
wield the megaphone on “You Can’t Cheat 
an Honest Man,” the W. C. Fields-Edgar 
Bergen-Charlie McCarthy comedy, which 
gets before the cameras shortly. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


33 


Grainger Huddling 
With M. J. Siegel 


Headlined by the arrival at Republic 
of James R. Grainger sales chieftain, to 
confer with M. J. Siegel on current and 
future production schedules at the North 
Hollywood plant, the film capital’s vari- 
ous studios were prepared to do the hon- 
ors in either welcoming or bidding good- 
bye to their traveling executives, 

Grainger came west from New York 
about ten days ago, stopping first in San 
Francisco to huddle with franchise hold- 
ers there. After spending a few days with 
Siegel, he will visit exchanges in Port- 
land, Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake City and 
Minneapolis before returning to the east 
October 15. 

Another arrival was Matty Fox, aide to 
Cliff Work, studio production manager at 
Universal. He spent two weeks in New 
York, attended a sales meeting of western 
branch managers in Chicago last week 
and a similar session in New York last 
Saturday. Checking in at M-G-M was 
Production Chief Louis B. Mayer, return- 
ing from a week in Louisville, Ky., on 
business connected with his racing stable. 
Also returning to his Metro desk, after 
a six-week trip abroad, was Ben Thau. . 

Twentieth Century-Fox was set for a 
heavy exodus of eastern visitors. Charles 
McCarthy, publicity-advertising chief lor 
the company, was to leave Wednesday af- 
ter huddling with Darryl Zanuck and Sid- 
ney R. Kent, whom he accompanied west- 
ward, on new films nearly ready for re- 
lease. Kent, however, will remain several 
days longer. Also heading back to the 
homeoflice this week was Joseph Mosko- 
witz, who participated in the conferences. 

Columbia bid goodbye to Nate Spin- 
gold, vice-president, who spent two weeks 
here conferring on production and business 
matters with Harry Cohn, while an out- 
going train bore Dr. Herbert Meyer, of 
Agfa Ansco, to New York. During his 
stay here, Dr. Meyer accepted the resig- 
nation of C. King Chamey as coast dis- 
tributor for Agfa raw stock, and an- 
nounced plans to set up a new local dis- 
tribution branch for the product. 


Independent Producers 
Ranks Swelled by Stars 


(Continued from page 30) 
berth on the Tex Ritter musical westerns 
at Monogram, Edward Finney has an- 
nounced plans to produce a series of dra- 
matic features, to be filmed and financed 
independently for an as yet unset re- 
lease. 

Finney has signed Betty Laidlaw and 
Robert Lively to script “Little Miss Fix-It,” 
first of the group, which will star 6-year- 
old Mary Ruth. Production is set to start 
in four weeks with Marshall Neilan di- 
recting. 

The Spanish-language market rose a 
notch when Frank Z. Clemente, Argentine 
producer, took shooting space at General 


The Color Situation 


(Continued from page 32) 

that the plant would possess a large de- 
partment to process 16 mm. prints in color. 

The lull impact of these statements has 
focussed keen attention on Cinecolor. 
Those familiar with our conservative 
operations and past history know that this 
is not fanciful prophecy, but concrete facts 
based on careful calculations. The his- 
tory of our organization, which was built 
slowly, step by step, is an interesting one. 

Six and a half years ago, the writer, 
then a Detroit automobile distributor, had 
occasion to investigate a company in 
New York called "Colorfilm," in which his 
father-in-law, a Louisville banker, had 
invested several hundred thousands of 
dollars. Finding the structure of the or- 
ganization to be but a hollow shell, it 
was obviously apparent that the best 
thing for my relative to do, was to dissolve 
the company. 

It was at this point that I was intro- 
duced to Mr. W. T. Crespinel, a pioneer 
color man, who had been vice-president 
of Howard Hughes' recently defunct Multi- 
color Company. Coming to the West 
Coast, I was joined by Mr. Crespinel, and 
immediately proceeded to found Cinecolor, 
Inc. Three more of Multicolor's capable 
staff soon joined us. They were Mr. A. 
L. Gundlefinger, Mr. William Prynne, and 
Mr. Frank Heacock. Today, after six 
years, with the valuable addition of Mr. 
Howard C. Brown, we are still together. 
Mr. Crespinel now is vice-president in 
charge of research; Mr. Gundlefinger is 
vice-president and technical director; Mr. 
Prynne is secretary; Mr. Brown is vice- 
president and sales manager in charge of 
our industrial division. On September 1 , 
Mr. J. Henry Kruse joined our family in 
the capacity of sales manager, handling 
our studio department. 

Although Cinecolor has contracts with 
most of the major film companies, it also 
does a considerable business with pro- 
ducers of commercial pictures. Its volume 
in that direction, already considerable, is 
growing by leaps and bounds. 

If any outstanding reasons exist as to 
why Cinecolor has prospered, where so 
many other companies have failed, they 
can be summed up significantly enough 
in our policy to run our organization like 
a business, rather than a studio, plus the 
fact that our executive group has absolute 
confidence in our process and in each 
other. 


Service studios to film “Cantaclaro,” a 
story by Romulo Gallegos, which Clemente 
acquired from 20th Century-Fox. 

Fine Arts has announced it will begin 
shooting within a few weeks on “Wonder 
World,” the story of pre-historic days, 
with Howard Higgin having made final 
revisions in the script. Franklyn Warner, 
president of FA, also disclosed that George 
Houston, who appeared in “Frontier 
Scout” for the company, had been hand- 
ed a five-year contract. His next assign- 
ment will be a story of the French and 
Indian War, from an original by Fred 
Myton. 


Sheehan-Metro Tie 
Highlights Changes 

Formal announcement by M-G-M that 
Winfield Sheehan, once production chief- 
tain of the Fox Film 
Corp., had been signed 
to a production con- 
tract — rumors to that 
effect having been 
current in the film 
capital for several 
weeks past — highlight- 
ed the ever-changing 
panorama of execu- 
tive and creative tal- 
ent within the studios. 

Sheehan, whose re- 
turn to production had 
been predicted many times in the past 
few years, has selected “Florian,” a novel 
by Felix Salten, as his first film under 
the contract, and has started preparatory 
work on the feature. 

RKO Radio reported the signing of 
Joseph H. Steele as production aide to Leo 
McCarey. Steele starts to work immedi- 
ately on “Love Match,” first production- 
direction effort for McCarey under his 
RKO Radio contract. 

The same studio, however, failed to pick 
up its option on Ann Miller, terpsichorean 
actress, who appeared last in “Miracle 
Racket.” She was to check off the lot 
this week. 

At 20th Century-Fox, Sidney Blackmer’s 
contract as a featured played expired and 
was not renewed. He will freelance for 
the time being. Warner Bros, dropped 
Anita Louise from its contract list and also 
granted the request of Director John Far- 
row that he be relieved of his long-term 
contract. Farrow, currently on “Women 
in the Wind,” with Kay Francis leaves 
the lot upon completion of the picture. 

Production Bright With 
43 in Work; 11 Waiting 

(Continued from page 31) 
Busters,” a Gene Autry western, while 
“Headin’ for Texas” was on schedule to 
start next week as a starrer for Roy Rog- 
ers. RKO Radio drew a blank and its in- 
dex dropped from five, last week, to four. 
Important pictures due for early starts 
include “The Castles,” co-starring Astaire 
and Rogers, and “Love Match.” 

Monogram was idle, having wound up 
“Gangster’s Boy.” Next week “Gun 
Packer,” starring Jack Randall, will break 
the silence, to be followed by “Roll, Wag- 
ons, Roll,” a Tex Ritter western, and E. B. 
Derr’s “Gang Bullets.” 

United Artists’ pace dropped off, Walter 
Wanger having sent “Trade Winds” into 
the cutting rooms. Samuel Goldwyn, still 
trying to clean up “The Cowboy and the 
Lady,” began to record musical sequences 
for “The Reckless Age,” but has schedul- 
ed no actual camera work, while Selznick 
International continued filming “Made for 
Each Other” and Edward Small was well 
underway with “The Duke of West Point.” 



W. SHEEHAN 


34 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


Plays Possibilities 


“ Missouri Legend” 

New York — S econd play to inaugurate 
the season here was “Missouri Legend” 
which opened at the Empire September 19. 
This is a comedy by Elizabeth B. Ginty, 
produced by Guthrie McClintic in associ- 
ation with Max Gordon. The cast includes 
Dean Jagger, Mildred Natwick, Clare 
Woodbury, Jose Ferrer, Richard Bishop, 
Russell Collins, Karl Madden, Dan Duryea, 
Dorothy Gish, Ben Roberts and Joseph 
Sweeney. 

Critical consensus: 

Walter Winchell, Daily Mirror — ... a 
spellbinding saga about Jesse James . . . 
from robust pencil of a historian named 
E. B. Ginty, plus the exciting direction of 
Guthrie McClintic and is played by a tal- 
ented cast . . . Dean Jagger is seen as 
Jesse James . . . was superb. Honors . . . 
were decisively won by Mildred Natwick, 
who, as Widow Weeks, gave so compelling 
a performance you want to yell bravo. 

Burns Mantle, Daily News (two stars 
plus) — . . . spotty in entertainment value 
and frankly superficial as drama . . . The 
strength of “Missouri Legend” is in the 
casting and direction. 

John Anderson, Evening Journal — It 
combines a hearty sense of humor with 
an easy knack for squeezing the furtive 
tear and while the play’s ending is weak 
to the point of anaemia, it makes up an 
entertaining evening as bright, as old-fash- 
ioned, and sometimes as jerky as a stere- 
optican . . . Jagger is superb . . . Miss 
Gish as the distracted Mrs. James, light- 
ens two of the tenderer scenes with the 
sort of luminous comedy which reveals 
her at her best when she has a part that 
is worth it and Miss Natwick adds another 
sketch to an ever-growing gallery of bril- 
liantly etched characters that becomes un- 
forgettable in the sharpness and larity 
of her delineation. 

Richard Watts jr., Herald-Tribune — . . . 
good, rousing romantic western melodrama, 
filled with the crusading spirit of the 
noble outlaw who robbed the rich to give 
to the poor . . . Attractively acted, par- 
ticularly by Dean Jagger in the leading 
role, “Missouri Legend” is the first en- 
tertaining new show of the season . . . 
Other players are excellent, too. 

John Mason Brown, Evening Post — But, 
clumsy as it is, and lamentable as is its 
final scene after Jesse’s murder, its first 
two acts are brightened by the many 
speeches which are written with vigor . . . 
Jagger is an admirable Jesse ... As 
Frank James, Richard Bishop comes closer 
to what was probably historic fact than 
any of the others do. Dorothy Gish is 
less fortunate in the poorly written part 
of Jesse’s wife , . . Mildred Natwick pro- 
vides a rich and lusty performance . . . 

Richard Lockridge, the Sun — All this is 
not, I faintly feel, of much moment as a 
contribution to American folklore. But it 
is jolly and amiable playwriting and salty 
entertainment. Jesse rides at the Empire, 


not grimly through blood tmd dust, but 
at a spanking theatrical pace. 

Brooks Atkinson, the Times — Guthrie 
McClintic . . . has treated “Missouri Le- 
gend” to a racy production with Dean 
Jagger conveying the gusto of the im- 
mortal bandit in the principal part. In 
form, Miss Ginty’s play is a picaresque pro- 
cession of scenes, some of them being 
unavoidably better than others. But in 
spirit it is romantically humorous, written 
with a salty tongue in the cheek; and the 
best of it is shrewd theatre. Let us say 
the new season has opened. 

Sidney B. Whipple, World-Telegram — 
. . . an amusing, if exaggerated, comedy 
humanizing and in a sense glorifying a 
notorious character . . . There is no ques- 
tion about the appeal to the imagination 
and even affection that the bandit can 
summon to his aid in this play . . . The 
two performances in which I was most 
interested, however, were those of Mildred 
Natwick as the lady hill-billy and Joe 
Ferrer as Billy Gashade, poet laureate 
and ballad master of the James gang. 


This is the second publication of 
“boildown” reviews of New York stage 
plays. Boxoffice, for this purpose, 
becomes merely a rewrite man, offers 
no opinions, but condenses the drama 
analyses of the Broadway critics. 

Covered in this issue are “Missouri 
Legend,” “You Never Know,” “Hell- 
zapoppin,” “Sing Out the News,” 
“ Dame Nature” and “Thanks for the 
Memory.” 


“You Never Know” 

Third new play, “You Never Know,” 
opened at the Winter Garden September 
21. This is a musical comedy with music 
by Cole Porter and Robert Katscher and 
lyrics by Porter, book adapted by Rowland 
Leigh and George Abbott with additional 
lyrics by Leigh. Adapted from an original 
musical by Katscher, Siegfried Geyer and 
Karl Farkas and drawn from Geyer’s com- 
edy, “By Candelight.” Staged by Leigh 
and Abbott; settings by Albert Johnson 
and Watson Barratt; dances arranged by 
Robert Alton; produced by the Shuberts. 
Cast includes: Clifton Webb, Rex O’Mal- 
ley, Eddie Gale, Toby Wing, Lupe Velez, 
Libby Holman, the Hartmans, June Preis- 
ser. 

Walter Winchell, Daily Mirror — Its (“By 
Candelight ’s”) marriage to Mr. Porter’s 
melodies and Mr. Leighs direction . . . ap- 
peared to be an unhappy one last eve- 
ning except during those enjoyable mo- 
ments when Lupe Velez was offering de- 
vastating mimicry of Vera Zorina, Dolores 
Del Rio, Katharine Hepburn and Shirley 
Temple, when the Hartmans were belit- 
tling the adagioists, Libby Holman was 
thrushing and Clifton Webb was executing 
his familiar soft shoe ballets. Cole Por- 


ter’s words and music . . . are not su- 
perior to his previous offerings. But Mr. 
Porter is never second-rate. There are at 
least three that stay in the ear. “At Long 
Last Love,” “What Is That Tune” and 
“Maria” being most tuneful. 

Burns Mantle, Daily News (three stars) 
— . . . when the plot — it is the one about 
the gentleman’s gentleman who pretended 
to be his master and (you’ll die at this) 
the lady's maid who pretends to be her 
mistress — whenever this plot ran aground 
and seemed to stick, Miss Velez came on 
with exuberant imitations, or Miss Hol- 
man entered with song, or Mr. Webb 
glided smoothly and with becoming grace 
into one of those characteristic dances 
. . . but always in perfect rhythm. 

John Anderson, Evening Journal — . . . it 
could stand a little taking in and con- 
siderable tightening up, and when that is 
done, as it probably will . . . you will have 
a very elaborate musical version of our 
old friend, “By Candelight” . . . Mr. Webb 
is as bright and chipper as ever . . . and 
Miss Velez is a coiffeured hurricane who 
subsides long enough to do some very 
amusing and deadly impersonations . . . 
Miss Holman . . . chants with her well- 
remembered torch-works . . . Mr. Porter’s 
score is not all of the same quality, but 
much of it is delightful and slyly amus- 
ing. 

Richard Watts jr., Herald-Tribune — The 
first musical show of the new season hard- 
ly adds distinction . . . the music is out 
of the distinguished Cole Porter’s middle 
drawer . . . suffers from plot feebleness 
and anaemia of jokes and ends as a pretty 
routine sort of show. 

John Mason Brown, Evening Post — Mr. 
Porter’s usual invention is missing. His 
orchestrations are — for him — thin and 
tame . . . The real pity is that “You Never 
Know” has so little entertainment to of- 
fer. Although it means to be amusing, 
the evening it offers is grim, very grim, 
indeed. 

Richard Lockridge, the Sun — . . . a great 
deal of plot by a good many people, is 
handsome and pleasant enough, and now 
and then almost gay. But it isn’t, by 
and large, really stimulating; somebody 
has neglected to turn on the electricity 
and everybody has forgotten to turn off 
the plot. 

Brooks Atkinson, the Times — Only Clif- 
ton Webb and those comically distracted 
dancers, the Hartmans, give it the look 
and sound of stage entertainment. Mr. 
Webb has a whole bookcase stacked against 
him. The librettists have tossed handfuls 
of bad jokes at his part and inserted their 
innuendoes with the delicacy of an ele- 
phant stampede . . . But you never know 
how these rummage sales are going to turn 
cut in the theatre. 

Sidney B. Whipple, World-Telegram — 
. . . the Shuberts offer a large quantity 
(Continued on next page) 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


35 


Plays .... Possibilities 

(Continued from preceding page) 


of entertainment . . . The general quality 
of it, however, may be challenged. On 
the credit side there is a pleasant but 
not extraordinary score by Cole Porter 
and some gorgeous settings by Albert John- 
son and Watson Barratt . . .Lupe Velez 
. . . Clifton Webb . . . There are plenty of 
debits, however, the first of which is that 
the whole theme is old-fashioned, unexcit- 
ing and prodigiously dull. 

“Hellzapoppin” 

Second musical and fourth new play of 
the season, opened at 46th Street Theatre 
September 22. Described as a “screamlined 
revue,” it is in two acts and 25 scenes 
and dialogue by an author unnamed. 
Sammy Fain, Charles Tobias, Earl Robin- 
son, Alfred Hayes, Paul Mann and Ste- 
phen Weiss wrote the songs. Ole Olsen 
and Chic Johnson produced and E. B. 
Dowling staged for the Shuberts. Cast, 
and a long one, includes Olsen and John- 
son, Barto and Mann, Radio Rogues, Hal 
Sherman, Ray Kinney and Aloha Maids, 
Bettymae and Beverly Crane, The Char- 
ioteers, Theo Harden, Walter Nilsson, The 
Starlings, Reed, Dean and Reed, Shirley 
Wayne, Whitey’s Steppers, Berg and Moore, 
Roberta and Ray and Billy Adams. And 
now the critics: 

Walter Winchell, Daily Mirror — The 
slapstickiest and slaphappiest troupe of 
maniacs ever assembled on any stage . . . 
The first audience rocked, roared and 
ached all over from the spasms of laugh- 
ter which seemed endless ... By all means 
go to the 46th Street and see this new 
circus with songs, dances, hokum, ice, rab- 
bits, balloons, trees, shrubbery, snakes, 
confetti girls and entertainment. 

Burns Mantle, Daily News (two stars) — 
. . . results are no better than fair . . . 
old-time variety with a touch of burlesque, 
a dozen Grade B Orpheum acts routed 
over the Columbia wheel. A noisy and 
irresponsible riot. 

John Anderson, Evening Journal — I do 
not know how to review a show that does 
everything to the audience except drag 
it up on the stage and spit in its eye. 
It is out of bounds, out of range and out, 
I should say, of some asylum. It’s in- 
dividual numbers are pretty rank and it 
tries to make up in noise what it lacks 
in cleverness. The best parts of it were 
the songs by the Charioteers and a few 
of the rather prolonged imitations by the 
Radio Rogues. 

Richard Watts jr„ Herald-Tribune — 
When it shows you newsreels of Hitler and 
Mussolini, with the former talking in Jew- 
ish accents and the latter in deep Har- 
lem tones, it is nothing short of marvel- 
ous. But when it goes in for some of its 
vaudeville sketches, it is merely depress- 
ing. 

John Mason Brown, Evening Post — 
“Hellzapoppin!” For the hilarious half 
hour last night it seemed as if this were 
really true . . . Then suddenly “Hellza- 
poppin” went dead and died a terrible 
death. It died young and in painful con- 
vulsions, the victim of its own energy . . . 
Olsen and Johnson seem to be better gag 
men than comics. The Charioteers possess 
fine voices. The Radio Rogues are clever 


mimics. Little Billy Adams is a droll Ne- 
gro stepper. Hal Sherman can pantomime 
amusingly. Shirley Wayne handles a fid- 
dler entertainingly. Walter Nilsson is an 
astonishing cyclist. Hardeen, Houdini’s 
brother, has inherited some good tricks. 
Barto and Mann are certainly of different 
sizes. And Bettymae and Beverly Crane 
are charming dancers. 

Richard Lockridge, Sun — It does, how- 
ever, provide a good bit of pretty hys- 
terical fun and a fair share of good vaude- 
ville acts. There is no way I can think 
of to sum it up — it is rowdy and confused 
and uneven and does produce, particularly 
at first, excited merriment. It is cheer- 
fully free of revue stateliness; the music 
is just a pleasanter noise and the sketches 
have more dash than wit. It is an agree- 
able enough hurly-burly, but no place to 
take jumpy nerves. 

Brooks Atkinson, Times — But this is 
mainly a helter-skelter assembly of low 
comedy gags to an ear-splitting sound ac- 
companiment — some of it ugly, all of it 
fast ... a good part of it is loud, low and 
funny. 

Sidney B. Whipple, World-Telegram — 
The general tone and humor of the pro- 
duction, however, is about the level of 
burlesque and some of the broader ex- 
ploits of the principals and in particular 
those of an otherwise amusing team, Barto 
and Mann, should be eliminated at once. 

“ Sing Out the News" 

Third musical and fifth play made its 
bow at the Music Box September 24. A 
revue in two acts and 21 scenes, the lyrics 
and music are by Harold J. Rome while 
the show was directed by Charles Fried- 
man. Joe Mielziner did the settings, Dave 
Gould and Ned McGum directed the 
dances. John Hambleton did the costumes. 
Max Gordon produced in association with 
George J. Kaufman and Moss Hart. Cast 
includes Philip Loeb, Hiram Sherman, Will 
Geer, Michael Loring, Mary Jane Walsh, 
Joey Faye. The critics again: 

W. W„ Daily Mirror — . . . carried away 
by the excellence of a number called 
“Franklin D. Roosevelt Jones” . . . Har- 
old J. Rome . . . clinched his right to be 
listed among the gifted composers with 
that classic. You can never forget the 
beauty of it. The lampooning of the 
world’s better known leaders, citizens and 
news headliners, is almost always good 
. . . The very amusing “Sing Ho for 
Private Enterprise” is a high spot which 
belittles the Uppah Classes ... A higher 
spot, perhaps, is the lovely number named 
“My Heart Is Unemployed,” sung by Mary 
Jane Walsh and Michael Loring, and 
danced by Dorothy Fox. It is something 
to embrace. 

B. M„ Daily News (three stars) ... in 
effect, is another “Pins and Needles,” only 
not quite so original in ideas nor as 
satisfying in novelty . . . written and com- 
posed by the same Harold Rome and 
Charles Friedman who composed and 


staged the Labor Stage show. They natu- 
rally enough have drawn upon the same 
sources of inspiration that appealed to 
them in their first show. On the other 
hand, or more encouraging, they have 
strung together a series of satirical and 
political sketches that have timeliness and 
a certain topical pungency to recommend 
them ... Of the principals, Hiram 
Sherman seemed to me to have consider- 
able advantage in intelligence, taste, comic 
gifts and general fitness for his job . . . 
Mary Jane Walsh served pleasantly and 
effectively as a singer of the principal 
songs. 

J. A., Evening Journal — . . . but instead 
of the bright and friendly, if semi-ama- 
teur informality of the Labor Stage show, 
they have a slicked up Broadway revue, 
weakened by an evasive viewpoint, a te- 
dious and rather dull echo of a clever 
original celebrating, I suspect, nothing 
sharper than safety pins and knitting 
needles. Except for Harold J. Rome’s 
music and one or two of the generally 
overworked sketches, it is pretty feeble 
fun; unable, probably, to sit up and take 
notice ... Of the 10 numbers on the first 
part of the program four measure vague- 
ly up to standard, the “Up Fiorello,” 
“Just An Ordinary Guy,” a very pleasant 
piece; “Peace and the Diplomat,” a neat, 
though obvious, ballet and “Cafe Society” 

. . . This makes seven out of a possible 
21, which on my score card is not enough. 

R. W„ Herald-Tribune — “Sing Out the 
News,” lacks a good part of the bite and 
the humor of “Pins and Needles;” its 
music, whole attractive, is less striking 
and several of its numbers fail pretty com- 
pletely. It has, nevertheless, suffered no 
loss of its hearty, emphatic New Deal 
point of view in its change to capitalistic 
management and it has its say with en- 
thusiasm and vigor. Despite lapses, it is 
an excellent show . . . The first musical 
hit of the season. 

J. M. B., Evening Post — I have no other 
choice than to mention “Pins and Needles” 
at some length today because on Satur- 
day night an often uproarious sequel to it, 
called “Sing Out the News,” was issued 
in edition de luxe form . . . The parallels 
between the two shows are many. Yet 
continuous as they are, they in no way 
interfere with the pleasures of “Sing Out 
the News” ... it is a gay, impudent, vital, 
intelligent and often convulsing show 
which should find its way onto the list 
of all self-indulgent theatregoers . . . Joey 
Faye must be saluted as the uncommon 
comic “find” he really is. 

R. L., Sun — . . . pointed, intelligent, 
rather Leftist, always interesting. And, 
for some reason, the evening seems still 
a little thin; satire without feathers is, 
perhaps, rather meagre fare for a full- 
dress revue. Perhaps the musical stage, 
except in such very special cases as “Pins 
and Needles,” cries out for a broader meth- 
od. Satiric intelligence, unadorned, may- 
be isn’t enough. And possibly, as seems 


36 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


Plays .... Possibilities 


— — (Continued from 

probable to me, the authors have this 
time a little pulled their punches, tem- 
pering the wind of their crusade to the 
Persian lamb of their audience . . . (Philip) 
Loeb and (Will) Geer, especially, are great 
fun. 

B. A , Times — It is a neatly written and 
attractively produced satirical revue about 
current persons — briskly in pace and New 
Deal in philosophy; and the cast is young, 
quick and altogether winning. Although 
Mr. Rome and Mr. Friedman work for the 
bourgeoisie with somewhat more restraint 
than for the working class, they still 
have a fancy way with the forces of re- 
action and compassion for the submerged 
nine-tenths of our population. “Sing Out 
the News” is “Pins and Needles” in a 
Broadway tailor’s dress suit . . . When the 
white man’s ideology begins to get anemic, 
it is a good thing to fall back on the 
Negroes. They do “Sing Out the News,” 
two roaring services at times when it needs 
gusto and size. “One of These Fine Days” 
for Negro voices is one of Mr. Rome’s 
finest songs; and the christening song and 
dance, entitled “Man of the Year.” is 
both a masterpiece of stagecraft and the 
high point of the show. 

S. B. W„ World-Telegram — it moves 
swiftly and gaily . . . “Man of the Year” 
... is moving and exciting, so terrifical- 
ly exciting, in fact, that at Saturday 
night’s opening it brought the longest 
outburst of real, spontaneous cheering I 
have ever heard in a theatre. 

“ Dame Nature" 

Sixth play, “Dame Nature” opened at 
the Booth, September 26. First Theatre 
Guild play, this is a comedy in three acts 
by Andre Birabeau, drawn from the 
French by Patricia Collinge. Staged by 
Worthington Miner, settings are by Nor- 
ris Houghton while production auspices in- 
clude Theresa Helburn, Lawrence Lang- 
ner and Miner. Cast includes Thomas 
Coffin Cooke, Montgomery Clift, Charles 
Beilin, Edwin Mills, Frederick Bradlee, Lois 
Hall, Morgan James, Jessie Royce Landis 
and Onslow Stevens. The critics now: 

W. W., Daily Mirror — A peaceful little 
play, earnest and sincere . . . revealed only 
an excellent cast and a few fleeting mo- 
ments that were enjoyable in the third act. 

B. M., Daily News (two stars plus) — This 
is a biological comedy, having to do with 
the surprise experience of a lad in knicker- 
bockers who just naturally drifted into 
parenthood before either he or the mother 
of his child could say Kraft-Ebbing . . . 
Has the advantage of gathering interest 
as it progresses. The performances are ex- 
cellent. Lois Hall and Montgomery Clift 
manage to hurdle the embarrassments of 
artificial drama simply by ignoring them. 

J. A., Evening Journal — ... a tear- 
strewn little comedy . . . The play’s 
poignancy lies, not in the fact itself, but 
in the bewilderment of two youngsters 
faced with an adult world at once sus- 
picious and unfriendly . . . (Miss Hall and 


preceding page) — 

Clift) are both sensitive and simple in 
very long and exacting scenes. 

R. W. jr .—Herald-Tribune — Some of it 
is touchingly and sensitively written and 
other parts are nothing short of embarras- 
sing . . . But “Dame Nature” is a disap- 
pointment. 

J. M. B„ Evening Post — . . . technically 
it does not deal innocently with innocence. 
Had the writing throughout possessed the 
dewy radiance and lovely youthfulness of 
Lois Hall’s playing of the young girl . . . 
this report . . . would have been radically 
different. 

R. L., Sun — It is hardly a story, as 
stories go ... As the girl, Lois Hall brings 
a tremulous youthfulness to the role which 
is very touching. 

B. A., Times — ... is a bit malnourished 
around the second act midriff and a bit 
bizarre in theme . . . endowed . . . with 
dainty acting. 

" Thanks for Tomorrow" 

Seventh play of the season took its bow 
at the Bayes, September 27. “Thanks for 
Tomorrow” is a melodrama in three acts 
by Le Roy Bailey with incidental music by 
Jewel Bennett, Beatrice Roderick and 
Raymond Curtis. Staged and produced 
by Walter Brooks. Cast includes Robert 
Williams, Mary Drayton, May Vokes, 
Francis De Sales, Adelynn Owens, Elea- 
nor Wells, Ralph Holmes, Frederick Man- 
att, Del Cleveland and Scott Moore. The 
verdict: 

W. W., Daily Mirror — An inconsequen- 


tial melodrama . . . There is a considerable 
amount of nothing in its first two acts and 
four scenes, excepting the sincere perform- 
ance of a girl named Mary Drayton. 

Daily News did not review. 

J. A., Evening Journal — . . . after the 
second act the critics retired in good order 
. . . Mr. Bailey’s offering has to do with 
a young man whose unhappy early life in 
New England led him to a cruel and rather 
desperate career among the night lifers 
on Manhattan. His racketeering was suc- 
cessful, though dangerous, and when he 
brought his blind sister to live with him, 
and deceived her as to the nature of his 
enterprise he found himself in the middle 
of a second act climax in which his sister, 
her sight restored, saw him shoot the boss 
gangster of his racket. 

R. W. jr. — Herald-Tribune — ... it 
seems unlikely we will encounter anything 
worse the rest of the year. 

J. M. B., Evening Post — So inept, 
though earnest, is Mr. Bailey’s writing 
that one leaves his play (early, it must be 
confessed) giving thanks for tomorrow 
indeed. 

R. L., Sun — The Bayes standard of au- 
thorship is still unchanged . . . indignant 
and incomprehensible characters still dart 
in all directions, doing bewildering things 
in the most unlikely manner and explo- 
sively emitting speeches which darkly baf- 
fle the imagination. 

B. A., Times — Thanks for tomorrow, 
thanks for last week, thanks for next 
Friday — in fact, thanks for everything ex- 
cept last night. 

S. B. W„ World-Telegram — The play is 
a wordy, unreal, banal story. 



SHOULDER- TO- SHOULDER 

One of the solid stones in Cinecolor's 
pyramid of progress is the keen, prac- 
tical spirit of co-operation afforded 
producers who want consistent, life- 
like color with ECONOMY, SPEED 
and FLEXIBILITY. 


CINECOLOR 


BOXOFFICE ;: October 1, 1938 H; 


37 






(2lnem.at.lc5 


Gail Patrick was hostess at a cocktail 
party at the Brown Derby last week, with 
Dorothy Lamour, Herbie Kaye, Herbert 
Marshall, Lee Russell and Edgar Bergen 
as her guests. 

* 

Re-public Studio Club’s new board of 
governors, as selected at a recent ballot- 
ing session, includes Marian Williams, 
Hinda Means, Sid Martin, Hy Glick, How- 
ard Lydecker and Eddie White. 

* 

Following completion of her next ve- 
hicle for 20th Century-Fox, Jane Withers 
will embark on a 12-week vacation tour to 
South America. Her mother and a tutor 
will accompany the child star. 

* 

Sam Wood, Metro director, left for New 
York last week for a two-week vacation. 
He planned to stop off in Washington, D. 
C., en route. 

* 

Louise Campbell, Paramount featured 
player, is on her way to Chicago, where 
she will be married to Horace MacMahon, 
film actor, late in October. She is due 
back here in April. 

★ 

John Carradine and J. Edward Brom- 
berg, 20 th Century-Fox players, have re- 
turned from extensive vacations in New 
York. 

k 

Universal was playing host this week to 
Irving Crump, editor of Boys’ Life Maga- 
zine, who arrived to act as technical ad- 
visor on the Boy Scout serial which went 
into production with Jackie Cooper in the 
lead. 

•k 

Joan Crawford and Director Frank 
Borzage at M-G-M unofficially launched 
the local football season last week when 
they entertained the University of Iowa 
team at the studio prior to the Iowa- 
UCLA game. 

* 

A Hollywood visitor is Mafaldo Patino, 
18-year-old Mexican film actress, who is 
vacationing here briefly. 


Humberstone Directing 
" Samson " for 20th-Fox 

H. Bruce Humberstone has replaced Jos- 
eph Santley in the directorial chair on 
“Samson and the Ladies” at 20th Cen- 
tury-Fox, while a change in camera as- 
signments, with Charles Clark substitut- 
ing for Edward Cronjager, was also ef- 
fected. No reason was given for the 
switches. 


Benchley on "Lunch" 

Robert Benchley has started the second 
of a series of five short subjects he is 
making at M-G-M. Titled “How to Spend 
Your Lunch Hour,” it follows “How to 
Watch a Football Game,” which just hit 
the cutting rooms. 


Sabu in Hollywood 



Paying his first visit to Hollywood, 
Sabu, 15-year-old Hindu actor, stopped 
off at Selznick International studios 
to visit Carole Lombard. The gentle- 
men in the background are Sabu’s two 
black-bearded Sikh bodyguards, which 
went Mickey Rooney and his valet one 
better. 


Funeral services were held Saturday for 
Kate Corbaley, story editor at Metro for 
more than ten years, who died after a 
brief siege with pneumonia. Four daugh- 
ters, a brother and two sisters survive. 
Mrs. Corbaley was 60 years of age. 

* 

George Raft is on his way to New York 
for the World’s Series, due to return to 
Paramount early in October for a picture 
assignment. 


New Shorts Series 

A new series of short subjects is due to 
be launched at Columbia by Jules White, 
in charge of the brief films for the studio. 
With a Hollywood background, they lead 
off with “Behind the Eight Ball.” Series 
is titled Hollywood Merry-Go-Round. 


20th-F ox Borrows Loy 

Twentieth Century-Fox has borrowed 
Myrna Loy from M-G-M to appear op- 
posite Warner Baxter in “He Married His 
Wife.” Picture rolls early in November 
with Sidney Lanfield directing. 


Derr Signs Hillyer 

E. B. Derr has signed Lambert Hillyer 
to direct “Gang Bullets,” Derr’s next for 
Monogram. Anne Nagel has the top role. 


Visiting Hollywood for the first time 
this week was Sabu, the Hindu boy actor, 
with United Artists executives as his hosts. 
He will spend several days in the film 
capital before returning east. 

k 

Clark Gable pulled out for a Canadian 
hunting trip, heading for Winnipeg, Mani- 
toba over the weekend. 

* 

Mr. and Mrs. Hal Roach have trained 
out to Detroit to pick up a new automo- 
bile. They plan to drive to New York for 
the World’s Series and return here imme- 
diately afterward. 

* 

Producer Harry Sherman and Sidney 
Toler, member of the cast, planed out for 
Tucson, Ariz., last week to catch the pre- 
miere of “The Mysterious Rider,” Sher- 
man’s latest Paramount picture. 

* 

James Kevin McGuinness, Metro writer, 
is vacationing in New York for a short 
time. 

k 

To undergo an operation, Mary Mayer of 
Metro’s publicity department, checked in 
at the Hollywood Hospital last week. 

★ 

A bo, by daughter was born this week to 
Mrs. Vincent Sherman, wife of the War- 
ner writer, at the Good Samaritan Hos- 
pital. 

* 

Barrett Kiesling, Metro’s traveling pub- 
licist, has returned from a three-week 
fishing trip to British Columbia. 

* 

Winding up a month’s vacation at his 
farm on Cape Cod, Dr. Herbert T. Kal- 
mus, president of Technicolor, Inc., has 
returned to Hollywood. 

* 

Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Erwin — June Coll- 
yer — left for New York this week, where 
Erwin will begin work in a picture being 
made there. 

k 

Beulah Bondi leaves Monday for a vaca- 
tion in New York. 


MPRF Move to Mitigate 
Work Plight of Extras 

Spurred by reports from Central Cast- 
ing Corp. that the number of extra and 
bit-player placements for the month of 
September will hit a new low for the 
year, several thousand under August, the 
Motion Picture Relief Fund called a spe- 
cial meeting of its board of directors for 
Thursday night to expedite the Fund’s 
recently-announced plans to survey the 
film unemployment situation. 

A special committee, headed by Edward 
Arnold, was to plunge into the task of 
taking a census, in which it has been as- 
sured the full cooperation and aid of the 
Screen Actors Guild, the latter organiza- 
tion having just signed an eight-year pact 
with producers. One clause promises al- 
leviation of the “extra” situation. 


38 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


Firm Czech Stand 
Urged for "Peace" 


Running the gamut from international, 
national and state politics down to relief 
work for Spanish loyalists, Hollywood’s 
progressive, anti-Fascist organizations had 
geared their schedules to a busy week. 

Probably the most active single Holly- 
woodian was Donald Ogden Stewart, screen 
writer and chairman of the Anti-Nazi 
League. First he joined Alan Campbell, 
secretary, and Marian Spitzer, vice-chair- 
man, in sending a telegram to President 
Roosevelt urging the nation’s leader to 
“call for united action in the interests of 
peace” in the current Czecho-Slovakian 
crisis, and forwarding copies to diplomatic 
leaders in Great Britain, France and 
Czecho-Slovakia. Stewart’s date book also 
carried October 3 as the day on which 
he will make a trans-continental radio 
talk, via the National Radio Forum, to re- 
fute the assertions of Representative Mar- 
tin Dies and his investigating committee 
that the League had refused to appear be- 
fore the probers at the time they charged 
Hollywood to be “rife with communism.” 
Then, on October 7, the Anti-Nazi League 
will hold its annual membership meeting 
to review the work of the past year, with 
Stewart presiding and presenting the 
facts and figures of League accomplish- 
ments. Speakers will include Cedric Bel- 
frage and, possibly, Dorothy Parker. 

In a mass protest against the Czecho- 
Slovakian situation, sponsored by the 
American League for Peace and Demo- 
cracy and set to take place Wednesday, 
Samuel Ornitz, scenarist, and Irving 
Pichel, actor-director-writer, were listed 
as speakers. 

Their activities in behalf of the Motion 
Picture Democratic committee have won 
for Gloria Stuart, Helen Gahagan and 
Philip Dunne appointments as represen- 
tatives of the Democratic State Central 
Committee, it was announced this week at 
the DSCC convention in Sacramento. Two 
other members of the MPDC, Robert Tak- 
ser and Allen Matthews, are on the co- 
ordinanting committee for Senator Cul- 
bert Olson, Democratic nominee for gov- 
ernor. 

One of the most elaborate affairs of its 
fall calendar will be held Sunday by the 
Motion Picture Artists Committee when it 
stages its “Circus Party,” with proceeds 
to go to Loyalist Spain. John Garfield, 
Fred Keating and other film players are 
scheduled as entertainers, the affair to be 
held at the home of Mrs. Ira Gershwin. 


" Maginot Line " Subject 
Of Edward Small Film 

Taking advantage of the current Euro- 
pean crisis, Producer Edward Small has 
announced plans for the immediate film- 
ing of an original story by George Bruce, 
staff writer, titled “The Maginot Line.” 
Bruce, a World War veteran, wrote the 
story around the underground fortress ex- 
tending the length of France from Swit- 
zerland to the sea. 


. REVIEW 



FLASHES * 


ARKANSAS TRAVELER, THE (Para)— Bob 
Bums abandons his vaudevillian humor for 
a homespun and quaintly amusing role as 
an itinerant printer in a deftly produced 
and directed vehicle that will hit the mark 
for solid acclaim, especially with small- 
town audiences. lean Parker and John 
Beal are excellent in the romantic leads. 
George Arthur produced. Alfred Santell 
directed. 

KING OF ALCATRAZ (Para) — Exciting gang- 
ster yarn featuring thrilling prison break, 
piracy on high seas, plenty of gunplay and 
all the elements that go to make up a 
first-rate action melodrama. Lloyd Nolan 
and Gail Patrick okay in leads. William 
Thomas produced. Robert Florey directed. 

LAST EXPRESS, THE (Univ)— Overly-compli- 
cated Crime Club mystery which only the 
most rabid detective-melodrama fans will 
find to their liking. Plot is far too involved 
to appeal to general celluloid tastes al- 
though acting, especially work of Kent Tay- 
lor, is good. Irving Starr produced. Otis 
Garnett directed. 

MAN TO REMEMBER. A (RKO)— Down-to- 
earth drama of a country doctor which has 
universal appeal. Edward Ellis is thespic 
standout in capable cast headed by Anne 
Shirley. Feature will bear its share of the 
boxoffice burden in all situations. Robert 
Sisk produced. Garson Kanin directed. 

MR. WONG, DETECTIVE (Mono)— First rate 
murder mystery which will rank high 
among this company's product for the sea- 
son and which stacks up well with program 
product from any studio. Boris Karloff is 
flawless in title role while supporting cast, 
screenplay and production are above criti- 
cism. William T. Lackey produced. Wil- 
liam Nigh directed. 

THAT CERTAIN AGE (Univ)— Deanna Dur- 
bin falls in love for the first time in a gay 
and tuneful comedy abounding in youth- 
ful zest. In this sure boxoffice smash, the 
golden-voiced starlet is ably supported by 
a splendid cast headed by Melvyn Doug- 
las and Jackie Cooper. The film, lavishly 
mounted, can safely be tabbed among the 
season's best. Joe Pasternak produced. 
Edward Ludwig directed. 

VACATION FROM LOVE (M-G-M)— A rowdy, 
romantic farce well up to Leo's program 
standard providing plenty of fast-moving 
entertainment. Dennis O'Keefe, co-featured 
with Florence Rice, turns in an engaging 
performance. Orville O. Dull produced. 
George Fitzmaurice directed. 

COMPLETE REVIEWS on the above 
pictures will appear in an early issue 
of BOXOFFICE. 


New Selznick Pact 
Halts Change Talk 



Rumors which had been current in cer- 
tain film circles concerning possible 
changes in the produc- 
tion and executive set- 
up at Selznick Interna- 
tional, particularly as 
to the present and fu- 
ture status of David O. 
Selznick, were com- 
pletely and irrefutably 
answered via an official 
statement from John 
Hay Whitney, chairman 
of the S-I board, an- 
nouncing that Selznick 
DAVID selznick had been signed to a 
new term contract to continue as presi- 
dent and executive producer. 


Whitney’s announcement pointed out 
that not a single change in the company’s 
executive personnel, membership on its 
board of directors, or list of stockholders 
had been effected since its inception. 


Maintaining their positions on the board, 
in addition to Whitney and Selznick, are 
Dr. A. H. Giannini, Robert Lehman, Myron 
Selznick, C. V. Whitney and Loyd Wright. 
Stockholders include Whitney, David and 
Myron Selznick, Norma Shearer, Robert 
Lehman, representing Lehman Brothers, 
Mrs. Charles S. Payson, Mrs. Flora Miller, 
Barlie Henry, Pioneer Pictures, Inc., and 
interests represented by John Hertz. Of- 
ficers of the company are David O. Selz- 
nick, president; Henry Ginsberg, vice- 
president and general manager; Daniel T. 
O’Shea, secretary; Loyd Wright, assist- 
ant secretary; E. L. Scanlon, assistant 
treasurer, and L. F. Altstock, comptroller. 


Monogram Sets Release 
Dates on Eleven Films 

Monogram has set release dates on 11 
features of its 1938-39 program for the 
remainder of the year. With four already 
in release, the studio will have one-third 
of its quota completed by December 1. 

“Mr. Wong, Detective,” “Sweetheart of 
Sigma Chi” — a reissue — and “Where the 
Buffalo Roam” hit the exchanges in Octo- 
ber. In November “Gangster’s Boy,” 
“Gunpacker,” “Gang Bullets” and “Roll, 
Wagons, Roll,” will be released. December 
will see “I Am a Criminal,” “Mother O’ 
Mine,” “The Last Outlaw” and “Midnight 
Patrol” in the exchanges. 


Set Three Adult Roles 

In " Tough Guys " Latest 

Mary Boland, Edward Everett Horton 
and Mischa Auer draw the adult leads in 
Universal’s “Little Tough Guys in Society,” 
first of the studio’s projected series fea- 
turing a lineup of moppet Thespians. The 
“Little Tough Guys” comprise Frankie 
Thomas, Hally Chester, Harris Berger, 
Charles Duncan, David Grocey, Lester Jay. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


39 


SCRIPTERS 


— Columbia 

WILLIAM RANKIN and ELEANORE GRIFFIN 
to an untitled story which Howard Hawks will 
produce and direct. 

— Metro 

KATHERINE BRUSH to “High School," a Hunt 
Stromberg production in which Mickey Rooney, 
Judy Garland, Gene Reynolds, Freddie Bartholo- 
mew and other juvenile actors will appear. 

SIDNEY HOWARD completes “The Unvan- 
quished," which will be a Mervyn LeRoy produc- 
tion. 

— Paramount 

MARTIN MOONEY and JONATHAN LATIMER 
to “Men Without a Country," an original story 
idea by Fritz Lang, who will produce and direct 
it. 

— RKO Radio 

ALBERT BETN to adapt “Pure in Mind," his 
own original, for Producer P. J. Wolfson. 

JOSEPH PAGANO to an untitled original for 
Producer Robert Sisk. 

OLIVER DRAKE to “Arizona Legion.” Bert 
Gilroy will produce. 

CHARLES KAUFMAN to “The Saint in Lon- 
don." Bernie Fineman draws the production chore. 

FRANKLYN ADREON, SOL SCHORR and REX 
TAYLOR to “Daredevils of Red Circle," a chap- 
ter-play. 

— Republic 

NORMAN S. HALL to “Yankee Doodle Cow- 
boy," a forthcoming Gene Autry western. 

— Edward Small 

GEORGE BRUCE to “The Man in the Iron 
Mask." 

— 20th Century-Fox 

PETER MILNE to an untitled original for Pro- 
ducer John Stone. 

— Universal 

NORTON S. PARKER to “Young Victory," 
which Ken Goldsmith will produce. 

ALEX GOTTLIEB to “Lady Luck." 

GEORGE BECK to “Destry Rides Again," star- 
ring James Stewart, w'hich Joseph Pasternak will 
produce. Beck collaborates with HAROLD SHU- 
MATE. 

— Walter Manger 

JOHN FORD and DUDLEY NICHOLS polishing 
“Stage Coach,” which Ford will direct. Tentative 
starting date is October 20. 

— Warner Bros. 

SCOTT LITTLETON to an untitled story for the 
“Torchy Blane" series. Glenda Farrell,' Barton 
MacLane and Tom Kennedy will have the leads. 


OPTIONS 


— Metro 

CHRISTINA WELLS, singer, given long-term 
contract. 

WALTER REISCH and ELAINE RYAN, script- 
ing team, handed new contracts. 

MARGARET BOOTH, film editor, held for an- 
other term. 

LYNNE CARVER given new acting termer. 

— Paramount 

AL PARMENTER joins trailer department, mov- 
ing over from the National Screen Service. 

— Republic 

WELLYN TOTMAN signs writing deal. 
CHESTER GUNNELS signed as comedy foil for 
the Roy Rogers western series, replacing Smiley 
Burnette, who has been assigned exclusively for 
the Gene Autry pictures. 


Shorts Director Bucquet 
Gets Chance at Feature 

After a number of “Crime Does Not Pay” 
shorts, Harry Bucquet has been given the 
chance at feature direction for M-G-M, 
his first assignment to be “Young Dr. Kil- 
gare.” This is the first in a series of 
“Dr. Kilgare” stories featuring Lew Ayres. 

Lionel Barrymore draws a supporting 
role, the screen play having been com- 
pleted by Willis Goldbeck and Harry Rus- 
kin. 


Jones to Paramount 

His six-picture contract with Coronet 
having wound up, Buck Jones has moved 
over to Paramount on a term deal under 
which he will combine his familiar west- 
ern roles with straight action drama. First 
assignment for him is “Vice Squad.” 


Lawsuits Pile Up 
On Screen Colony 

Everything from traffic tangles to al- 
legedly faulty income tax returns brought 
Hollywood film notables into court during 
the week as the number of lawsuits in- 
volving the screen colony showed no signs 
of abating. 

Superior court listed a $22,441 damage 
action against Screen-Radio Crooner Bing 
Crosby and Albert Johnson, former jockey 
now employed by Crosby as a horse train- 
er. The suit, filed by Bernard, Carmen 
and Leo Schootz and Carmen Arvisa, al- 
leged a car owned by Crosby and driven 
by Johnson collided with their vehicle 
last July 1 and inflicted bodily injuries 
on the defendants. 

Target of Uncle Sam’s income tax col- 
lectors was B. P. Schulberg, whom Nat 
Rogan, collector of internal revenue, al- 
leged in a lien filed with federal court, 
owes $9,741 on his 1935 earnings. Other 
film notables listed include Helen Mack. 
$442 for 1935, and Cecilia Parker, $109 for 
1937. 

Freddie Bartholomew, indirectly, was 
involved in another action when superior 
court cited his parents, Cecil and Lillian 
May Bartholomew, and his guardian, Milli- 
cent Bartholomew, to appear on Monday. 
The moppet’s parents, it is charged, have 
failed to pay a $7,887 judgment incurred 
last year in a legal battle to wrest cus- 
tody of the child star from his guardian. 
Attorney Leonard J. Mayberg, who repre- 
sented the couple, filed the complaint. 

An actor-agent tangle found its way into 
superior court when Edward Allen, a ta 1 - 
ent agent, filed suit to collect $13,125 al- 
legedly due him in commissions from Philip 
McMahon, screen and radio actor and 
charging McMahon with illegally voiding 
an eight-year managerial contract. 

Of a slightly different nature was the 
filing by Billy Gilbert of a complaint 
against Vinton Freedley, stage producer, 
charging breach of contract. Comedian 
Gilbert lodged his charges with Actors 
Equity, alleging Freedley persuaded him to 
cancel an RKO acting contract in order 
to appear in a legitimate show, which 
production never materialized, Gilbert 
alleged. 

Income Tax Sleuth Rogan also filed 
liens against Alice Brady, seeking $7,119 
on her 1937 income; Karen Morley, $926 
for 1937; Charles Kenyon, scenarist, $1,081 
for 1937; Harold Hurley, $4,943 for 1937; 
Travis Banton, $5,925 for 1937; Thomas 
Mitchell, $1,642 for 1937; and Edmund 
Gwenn, screen writer, $1,532 for 1935-36. 


" Blondie " for Strayer 

Speeding preparations for an early jump 
aboard the series bandwagon, Columbia 
has signed Frank Strayer to direct 
“Blondie,” first in the new picture group 
which the studio will produce from the 
Chic Young comic strip. Richard Flour- 
noy is doing the script. 


STORY BUYS 


“The Love Machine," a comedy by Nard Jones, 
to Metro. 

“The Long Shot," a racetrack story by Harry 
Beresford and George Callaghan, to Fine Arts 
Pictures. Ewart Adamson is scripting for imme- 
diate production, with Charles Lamont to pro- 
duce and direct. 

“That Fatal Fascination," by Harold Wilson and 
Leon Ware, to Paramount as a vehicle for Clau- 
dette Colbert. 

“Here I Am a Stranger," by Gordon Malherbe 
Hillman, to 20th Century-Fox. Hillman has signed 
to adapt. 

“The Housekeeper’s Daughter," by Donald Hen- 
derson Clarke, to Hal Roach. A. Edward Suther- 
land will direct. 

“She Wanted Danger,” by Leslie Bain, to Co- 
lumbia. The author will script. 

“Wings of Tomorrow," by W. Anthony Rowland, 
to Sol Lesser as a starrer for Tommy Kelly. Gil- 
bert Harrison is scripting. Story deals with the 
model airplane-builder hobby. 

“Flight South,” by Nathaniel West and Gor- 
don Kahn, to Metro. 

“Heart Interest," a magazine serial by George 
Bradshaw, to 20th Century-Fox. 

“Lady Luck,” by G. Carleton Brown, and “Call 
Me a Liar," by Jerry Sackheim and Jerry Hor- 
win, to General Films as Crime Club mysteries 
for Universal release. 

“I Love That Man," by John Francis Larkin 
and Jerry Horwin, to 20th Century-Fox as a ve- 
hicle for Alice Faye. 

“When Men Are Twelve," by Budd Schulberg, 
to Metro as a vehicle for Freddie Bartholomew. 

“A Cargo of Innocence,” by Eric Andrew Sim- 
son, to M-G-M. It is a factual article concerning 
the Spanish rebellion. 

“Hollywood Number Seven," by George Brad- 
shaw, to 20th Century-Fox as a Sonja Henie 
starrer. 

“Surprise Marriage." by Dale Unson, to Para- 
mount. Harold Hurley will produce. 

“Castle Sinister," by J. P. Marquand, to Metro. 

“I Married an Angel,” the Broadway musical 
hit, to M-G-M. 

“Prairie Buckaroo," by Walker K. Tompkins, 
to Republic as a vehicle for Roy Rogers. Charles 
E. Ford will produce. 

“The Key Woman," by Joseph H. Steele, to 
Universal as a Burt Kelly production. 

“The Lost World," by Robert Arthur, to Met- 
ro. The author will script possibly as one of 
the studio’s English quota pictures. 

“Rebecca," by Daphne Du Maurier, to Selz- 
nick International as a vehicle for Carole Lom- 
bard. 

“Miss Streamline,” by Clarence Marks and Rob- 
ert Wyler, to Republic. Marks will script. 

“Red Gardenias," a magazine serial, to Gen- 
eral Films as a Crime Club feature starring 
Preston Foster for Universal release. 


Berke to Produce 

Republic is giving William Berke a fling 
at producing feature assignments in ad- 
dition to his chores as producer of the 
Three Mesquiteers westerns. Berke’s first 
standard picture will be “Missing Men,” 
from an original by him. 


An Autry tor Sherman 

George Sherman draws the directorial 
assignment on the next Gene Autry sage- 
brusher at Republic, “Rodeo Buster,” which 
will wind up the 1937-38 quota. Harry 
Grey is the producer. 


To Direct Sten 

Otis Garrett has been signed by Dr. Eu- 
gene Frenke to direct the first of two Anna 
Sten pictures which Frenke will produce 
for Grand National. 


40 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 




obtained from a survey of first and sub- 
sequent runs, the success story of all fea- 
ture productions released during the 
1937-1938 Season; the boxoffice ratings 
of Stars, Producers, Directors, Writers 
and Companies who played a part in the 
making of those productions. 


TWO DOLLARS THE COPY 


PUBLISHED BY THE 
PUBLISHERS OF 



BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


41 



Nearly Two Million Quiz Booklets 
Given Out in Southern California 


Los Angeles — With sales picking up 
again after a two-week lull, the number 
of “Movie Quiz’’ booklets distributed to 
southern California showmen in connec- 
tion with the “Motion Pictures’ Greatest 
Year” have soared to 1,919,000 and should 
pass the two-million mark within a few 
days. 

Theatremen are busily replenishing their 
supplies of the booklets and other acces- 
sories, according to Carroll Peacock, man- 
ager of the Paramount exchange, which 
is handling distribution of the items for 
this region. To date, Peacock reported, 
approximately $13,000 has been expended 
by local showmen on the accessories. 

Meantime, Robert Poole, general secre- 
tary of the Independent Theatre Owners 
of Southern California, took a flying trip 
down to San Diego over the weekend to 
lend a hand in speeding the progress of 
the campaign among exhibitors there. 
Poole huddled with Jerry Gallagher, Fox 
West Coast city manager, and independent 
showmen discussing the drive, and re- 
ported upon his return that the southern 
city is showing considerable enthusiasm. 

First authenticated reports as to the ef- 
fect — if any — on local boxoffice grosses as 
a result of the campaign will be released 
by Poole some time next week. The ITO 
has been compiling data from question- 
naires distributed to theatremen in an ef- 
fort to gainer concrete figures on the re- 
sults, to date, of the drive. 


He Went Forty Miles 
For His Booklet 

Banning, Cal. — A prospector, Mike Ford, 
made a 40-mile trip across desert wastes 
with his burro to this foothill town near 
Palms Springs resort to get his Quiz book- 
let for Motion Pictures’ Greatest Year. 

Asked how he could see 30 pictures be- 
tween now and January 1 out on the 
desert, Ford explained he spends winter 
and fall prospecting near Superstition 
Mountain in the Imperial Valley. 

“It’s only a hike of 20 miles to El Cen- 
tro, and I can see four pictures at a crack 
there,” he added. 


Draws Metro Contract 
After Campaign Short 

Hollywood — Johnny Walsh, 13, appear- 
ing in a short subject advertising Motion 
Pictures’ Greatest Year, has drawn a long- 
term contract at M-G-M for his work. 

It’s not hard to understand Johnny’s 
flair for flickers when one knows that 
his father, Jack Walsh, was once with 
George M. Cohan, Sam Harris and Flo 
Ziegfeld, and his mother is a former 
Ziegfeld Follies dancer. 



CJAMMY SIEGEL of United Artists is on 
Portland’s film front, this time beating 
the drum for “Drums” . . . Guy Navarre, 
another UA representative, was in from 
Seattle . . . Eddie Lewis of Salem waited 
a long 10 minutes to see Tom Shearer at 
the B. F. Shearer office . . . Junior Mercy, 
another visitor from the Puget Sound 
area, made the rounds. 

Jack Kloepper, Portland’s UA manager, 
is back from an extended trip through the 
eastern Oregon territory . . . Ken Cocker- 
line of Portland’s Moreland Theatre was 
on the Row picking up press sheets . . . 
Edgar Mercy, this one from Camas, was 
another visitor ... So was Johnny Collins 
of Vernonia and Guy Garretson of St. 
Helens. 

Lou Stang, Paramount booker, reminds 
us that the Pine Theatre at Pineville had 
its grand opening last week . . . F. S. Mc- 
Keown, branch manager of Ross Federal 
Service here, reports he’s just returned 
from a fishing trip through Eugene, Cor- 
vallis and Albany. In Corvallis he saw the 
Idaho-Oregon State football game. 

Bill Duggan, assistant booker at Para- 
mount, has resigned and his place is being 
filled by Ed Lord, former head of Para- 
mount’s shipping department . . . “Rip” 
Ripley of Longview telling us he met Ben 
Shlyen in Miami . . . Art Kolstad in from 
Hood River . . . George Gould represent- 
ing Dallas . . . Tracy Poorman plugging 
for Woodburn . . . Other visitors on the 
Row included Ross Nelson of Independ- 
ence, Al Adams of Silverton, Loving 
Schmidt of Salem and S. D. Myers and 
son from Beverton. 

Gordon Craddock of Universal has the 
war situation all figured out and was seen 
explaining it to Johnny Harvey . . . “Dude” 
Smith from Tillamook on the Row ... So 
was Ray Henderson from Albany . . . And 
George Whiteside of Corvallis . . . Most 
tragic news on the Row this week was 
the death of Al F. Mielke, head of the 
United Ticket Co. here. 


Conference Plans Made ; 
Skouras Returns East 

Los Angeles — Completing his confer- 
ences with Fox West Coast executives on 
the current second annual National The- 
atres drive, Spyros Skouras, NT president, 
has returned to New York. His secretary, 
John Haley, accompanied. 

While here Skouras also conferred with 
Sidney R. Kent, president of 20th Century- 
Fox, who is currently visiting the studio. 


Other Pact 
Parley Set 

Los Angeles — Officials of Projectionists 
Local, 50, IATSE, will meet with the man- 
agers of local first-run theatres again 
October 4, at which time it is expected an 
amicable compromise will be reached in 
the current discussions anent new con- 
tracts for the coming year for the booth- 
men. 

The Stagehands Local, 33, IATSE, also 
is expected to cinch a new working agree- 
ment within the next ten days with Fox 
West Coast. 

Projectionists are conferring with opera- 
tors of the Paramount, Pantages, Hill- 
street, Hollywood, Downtown, State and 
Chinese theatres, while the stagehands’ 
negotiations will affect all FWC houses. 


Darkening of Four Star 
Halts Run of " Algiers " 

Los Angeles — The Four Star Theatre 
went dark suddenly on Tuesday, with 
“Algiers,” the United Artists production, 
moving out of the house after a record- 
shattering 11-week run. Picture had 
originally been scheduled to run another 
week, but instead was shifted by Fox West 
Coast to the United Artists and Wilshire 
theatres as a running-mate to “Hold That 
Coed,” which moved over from the State 
and Chinese on a continued first-run. 

The Four Star reopens October 5 with 
“Drums,” the Alexander Korda production. 


FWC Ettects Deal tor 

San Bernardino House 

Los Angeles — A deal has been nego- 
tiated by Fox West Coast to purchase the 
California Theatre, San Bernardino, which 
it has operated under lease since the 
house was constructed in 1927. Property 
has been placed in escrow. 

FWC is reputed to have paid in excess 
of $125,000 to the Santa Fe Federal Sav- 
ings and Loan Ass’n for the 1,854-seat 
house and property. The theatre has been 
operated by an FWC subsidiary, California- 
San Bernardino Theatres Corp. 


Buys Simplex 4-Star 

Denver — The first installation in this 
territory of the new sound equipment is 
being made by National Theatre Supply 
Co. in the new theatre being built at Sterl- 
ing, Colo., by Fox. The house is sched- 
uled for a November 15 opening. The same 
company also is supplying 950 new seats 
for the house. 


"Antoinette" Alone 

Los Angeles — M-G-M’s “Marie Antoin- 
ette” will be single billed when it opens 
at Loew’s State and Chinese theatres here 
October 12. 


42 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 



“pRANKENSTEIN” and “Dracula” are 
being sold at the first-run Rialto on 
the basis of “we dare you to see both of 
them,” and the fans are taking the dare. 
Long lines and repeated standouts caused 
the films to be held a second week. 


A county jury of 12, after looking at the 
nudist film “Unashamed,” declared it was 
not lewd, and set aside a fine of $100 
levied in police court recently. The film 
went hack on the screen at the Tivoli, 
where it ran only one day before being 
ordered off by the city vice squad, with the 
fine resulting. The film, which had been 
confiscated, was ordered returned to the 
theatre. No evidence was introduced aside 
fiom the film itself. 

Nat Wolfe has engaged the Bideawee 
Theatre for a run for “Dybbuk,” a Jewish 
all-talkie film with English titles . . . The 
Golder Roadshow company is now oper- 
ating theatres in Deertrail and Byers, 
Colo., State Theatre reopened after a fire 
in the booth in which the manager, John 
Lucas was burned seriously. He is still in 
the hospital in serious condition. 

Dave Cockrill has sold the Park Theatre, 
Denver, to George Hilding, former mining 
professor at the Colorado School of 
Mines, and a retired naval officer . . . 
Oscar Oldknow, district manager of Na- 
tional Theatre Supply, visited the Denver 
branch and conferred with J. J. (Jap) 
Morgan, manager, for two days . . . James 
VerMullen, American Seating Co. repre- 
sentative, was here headquartering at the 
National Theatre Supply agency, demon- 
strating his product. 


C. L. Wheaton is back as office manager 
and booker of the Grand National ex- 
change, after being out for a short time. 
Martin Morris, shipper, has been dropped, 
and his job consolidated with others . . . 
The Film Exchange union held its annual 
picnic atop Lookout Mountain with over 
175 present. Usual picnic games with 
eats were enjoyed during the day, and 
dancing in the evening. The exchange 
managers gave the union three Toastmas- 
ters, which were used as prizes. 


H. Bradley Fish, manager of the Den- 
ver and Salt Lake Grand National ex- 
changes, is spending some time in the 
Utah city . . . Nat Wolfe’s exchange is 
sporting a new diamond effect floor . . . 
Bert Turgeon, Cooper Enterprise (Publix) 
booker, has been transferred to Oklahoma 
City, and his job is being done by Frank 
Roberts, purchasing agent. 


Newspapers Prize Story 
May Become Film Yarn 

Salt Lake City — The Salt Lake City 
Tribune reveals that a major motion pic- 
ture studio has made a request for the 
top three stories in the newspaper’s ama- 
teur story contest conducted for the past 
year. The manager of the story depart- 
ment of the studio will study the stories 
for motion picture adaptability. 

The Tribune is again conducting a simi- 
lar story contest. 


Testimony Offered 
In Gift Night Suit 

Portland, Ore. — Circuit Judge Robert 
Tucker this week heard arguments on a 
defense demurrer to the complaint in the 
action brought by Carl R. McFadden, owner 
of the Laurelhurst Theatre here, seeking 
a declaratory judgment that the giving 
of coupons with stubs attached and the 
holding of drawings for prizes do not vio- 
late the state lottery statute. 

District Attorney James R. Bain and 
Sheriff Martin T. Pratt, defendants in the 
case, contend that the plan, known as gift 
night, constitutes a lottery. 

The suit was instituted on behalf of 
about a dozen community theatres distrib- 
uting free coupons for prize drawings. 
The operators of these theatres assert 
the giving of coupons does not violate the 
law but aids in stimulating business. 


45 Denver Area Houses 
Showing Spanish Films 

Denver — Forty-five theatres in the ter- 
ritory, outside Denver, are showing Span- 
ish films from one to five days a week. 
Four of the theatres in Albuquerque, the 
Mission, Mesa, Sandia and Coronado, are 
showing Spanish and Mexican films a 
total of ten days weekly, according to 
Albert Coppel, distributor. Coppel also op- 
erates two Denver houses, the Bideawee 
and Mexico. 

Spanish films are used in both of these 
houses every day, with a Spanish film and 
an American film making up the bill. 
These theatres lost money for previous 
owners, but Coppel says they now are 
showing a profit. 


Takes Port Chicago 

San Francisco — The Port Chicago The- 
atre in Port Chicago, near here, has been 
acquired by F. J. Malone, veteran ex- 
hibitor who has been with Publix and 
Fox West Coast. He plans extensive re- 
modeling and modernizing. 


§>A\IUr LAKE 

pACKED houses attended the personal 
appearance of Roy Rogers, singing 
cowboy, here at the Capitol in conjunc- 
tion with the showing of Republic’s “Billy 
the Kid Returns” ... A special showing of 
Metro’s “Boys Town” for inmates of 
Kearns-St. Anne’s orphanage was held 
here at the studio. 

Maurice Saffle, local Metro exchange 
manager, is calling on Montana theatre- 
men in the interests of his company’s 
product. 

Ben Murdock of the Ideal Theatre, He- 
ber City, Utah, was a local Filmrow visi- 
tor . . . Ditto Earl Steele of the Venice, 
Nephi. 


S IE A T T 1IL IE 

J^LL interest here is now centered on 
football. While the Huskies of Wash- 
ington were getting their ears pinned 
back by Minnesota in their first game of 
the season, a special football buffet lunch 
was being served in the quarters of the 
Northwest Film Club. The broadcast was 
heard and a special chart was supplied by 
Ben Shearer enabling listeners to keep 
track of all the plays (mostly fumbles) 
that each team made. Committee in 
charge of the affair consisted of Shearer, 
Dwight Spracher and Keith Beckwith. 
The football buffet lunches will be held 
whenever the Huskies are away from home. 

Another goodbye party will be held with- 
in the next few days. This time it’s for 
Rex Stevenson. Rex will locate in San 
Francisco. The party will be held at the 
home of Tony Filigno. His mother will 
serve a real Italian dinner. Rex, for- 
merly a theatre manager, has been head 
booker for Sterling theatres the past few 
years . . . Mrs. Lee Mote, head of the 
Spanish War Veterans Auxiliary of River- 
ton, Wyo., was in town a couple of days on 
her way to Portland to attend a conven- 
tion. She visited with J. T. Sheffield while 
here. Mrs. Mote owns the Acme Theatre 
in Riverton. 

Death has claimed one of the North- 
west’s leading columnists, Art Shannon, 
writer of the “Home Brew” column for 
Scripps papers, after a long illness. A 
grand guy, he’ll always be remembered 
for his helping hand to exploitation men 
of show business . . . N. E. Huff and his 
wife are here on their annual buying trip 
from Couer d’Alene, Ida. Both looking 
fine . . . The University of Washington’s 
new Showboat Theatre, anchored on Lake 
Washington, opened. 

This time it is John “Carefree” McGee- 
han of the New York office of RKO. John 
up and married Ruth Tappan, daughter 
of the New York publisher, George Tap- 
pan Bacheller. Miss Tappan came from 
New York to Seattle for the ceremony . . . 
Word has reached the Row of the death of 
Mrs. George Hunt. George, head of the 
circuit bearing his name, headquarters in 
Medford, Ore. . . . Al O’Keefe, district 
manager for Universal, flew in from Port- 
land for a visit at the local exchange . . . 
Carrol Barney will be breaking ground 
soon for his new theatre in Arlington . . . 
Joe Rosenfield, city manager for Ever- 
green in Spokane, is in New York on a 
business trip. 

Paul Carlson, protege of Bjarne Moe, 
took the state examination for achitects 
and was one of two in the class of 17 who 
passed. Bjarne specializes in theatre work 
. . . Word from sunny California has it 
that Homer Gill, a circuit executive for 
FWC, is recovering from an appendect- 
(Continued on next page) 


Burch “SUPER SHOWMAN” Facts 

Any film salesman, over a hundred Exhi- 
bitors, in Washington, Idaho or Montana, 

“Can tell you about a Burch” 

POPCORN SMITH, BOX 284, SEATTLE 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


43 


LOS ANGELES 


J^L GALSTON, who recently took over the 
Vernon Theatre from D. B. Irvine, plans 
to remodel it and change its name to the 
Casino. A 10-cent house now, in all prob- 
ability admissions will be boosted to 15 
cents. Galston, who owns several other 
local theatres, is also president of the In- 
dependent Theatre Owners Ass’n. 

On booking expeditions: Dick Darst, 
manager of the Strand, Phoenix, Ariz. . . . 
Herb Dunn, who operates Harry L. Nace’s 
Rialto Theatre, in Tucson, same state . . . 
Irma Bellam of the Metro exchange’s in- 
spection department, and Gene Buerman, 
a booker there, sneaked off to Santa Ana 
last week and were married . . . R. A. 
Hooker, assistant to Charlie Alden at the 
Globe Theatre in Globe, Ariz., headed 
homeward over the weekend after attend- 
ing the American Legion convention last 
week. 

In for a short holiday was Guy Cameron, 
owner of the Peak Theatre in Dallas, Tex. 
. . . Roy Evans was expected to check in 
some time this week from Texas, where 
he has been visiting his family. Evans is 
the manager of the Fox Highland Theatre 
here. 

The feminine influence is making itself 
felt at Jimmy Edwards’ Elysian Theatre 
these days. Edwards has just appointed 
Isabell Knapp as manager of the house 
. . . Arthur Unger, who handles Coulter 
Premiums in San Francisco, dropped in on 
Bill Quinn for a short visit last week. 

Russell Hoss, salesman for All-Star and 
Trailer-Made, suffered a recurrence of a 
blood-poisoning attack in his right arm. 
After responding to treatment, he was 
again expected back on the Row by the 
end of the week. 

Closed for more than two years, the 


Breck Photoplay Supply Company 

A Complete Line of Theatre Supplies and 
Equipment 

1969 So. Vermont RE. 3151 


B. F. SHEARER COMPANY 

“Theatre Equipment Specialists” 
Heywood-Wakefield Seats 

Wagner Silhouette Letters 

Motiograph Projectors 

1968 So. Vermont RE. 8212 


THEATRE DECORATORS 

Specialists in Theatre Decoration 
NAT SMYTHE & SONS 
Decorators 

1914 So. Vermont RE. 3578 


Liberty Theatre, at Blythe, Ariz., is being 
reopened by George Hallahan, who was on 
the Row buying product for his new ven- 
ture . . . Eddie Shanberg has purchased 
the Riviera Theatre, in Los Angeles, from 
George Browne. 

Bill Riter, head of the local Grand 
National exchange, planed to Chicago for 
conferences on the new GN setup. He 
expected to be back within a week or ten 
days. 

RKO’s office manager, Frank Schiend- 
ler, has a new secretary in the person of 
Ethel Sussman. The exchange’s other Ethel 
(Simpson) is back cashiering after spend- 
ing a quiet vacation at home. 

Ollie Wog, Universal salesman, is off on 
another selling tour of Blythe and other 
hot spots. A1 O’Keefe, district manager, 
spent the week in Seattle. 

Art Brick, who operates the Palace The- 
atre in Las Vegas, Nev., was on the Row 
booking. 

Mary Spengler, demure blonde secre- 
tary at Exhibitors’ Service, spent the first 
of the week battling with the flu. 

Nick Dimos of the Dimos Amusement 
Co., which operates theatres in Douglas, 
Bisby, Nogales, Tucson, and Phoenix. Ariz., 
xvas visiting on the Row accompanied by 
his brother, George, who has just returned 
from a four-month European trip. 

On the Row: J. W. Bace, Roxy Theatre, 
Ford City; George Bromley, Victoria, Los 
Angeles (first time since his recent ill- 
ness) ; L. A. Williams, booker for the 
Meralta, Downey; Mason Siler, Ritz, Bal- 
boa; Fred Siegal, Margo and Palomar, 
Oceanside. 


Carabin Engineering Company 

"Air Conditioning Engineers" 

1914 So. Vermont Los Angeles 

— Over 30 Theatres in 1937 — 


EXPLOITATION PICTURES 


Now Booking 

"LOVE LIFE OF A GORILLA" 
"CHILDREN OF LONELINESS" 

Wm. G. Smith's Jewel Productions 

1912 So. Vermont RO. 2205 


Review of Previews 
A Trade Privilege 

Los Angeles — Maintaining that reviews 
of previews should be the exclusive pro- 
vince of motion picture trade publications, 
a committee of local exhibitors has ef- 
fected an agreement with metropolitan 
daily newspapers whereby the latter, 
henceforth, will review films only when 
they open their first-runs here. 

Also going into the discard will be 
formal reviews of “B’’ pictures which are 
booked in conjunction with “A” offerings. 
Film gossip columnists writing for the 
metropolitan newspapers, however, will be 
permitted to comment editorially on pic- 
tures previewed, although they will not 
write formal critiques. 

The only newspaper not affected by the 
ruling is the Hollywood Citizen-News, 
chiefly because, it was pointed out, it cir- 
culates principally in the film capital and 
appeals more specifically to members of 
the film industry. 

The decision to drop preview reviews 
came through the efforts of Rodney Pan- 
tages and Jack Gross, representing the 
Pantages and Hillstreet theatres; Thorn- 
ton Sargent, representing Fox West Coast’s 
Chinese and Loew’s State; Ben Wallen- 
stein of Warner’s Hollywood and Down- 
town, and Harry Wallin, manager of the 
Paramount. All are first-run houses. 


SEATTLE 

(Continued from preceding page) 

omy. Homer, formerly Northwest division 
manager for RKO Orpheum circuit, is 
well liked in these parts . . . The John 
Hamricks joined the Ben Shearers at the 
Pendleton Round-up and the Grover Cur- 
leys came from St. Louis to enjoy the 
show with them. There will be no ball in 
connection with the MPTO convention 
this year. A midnight variety show will 
take its place. Negotiations are now under 
way for a top-notch Hollywood star to act 
as master of ceremonies. 

Don Beckman and Ray Felker to Mis- 
soula, Mont., and back. They installed a 
new display front on the Wilma Theatre 
. . . Betty McLaughlin has replaced Wilma 
McNett in the auditing department of 
Hamrick-Evergreen offices . . . W. B. Mc- 
Donald has set forward his annual cruise 
to the middle of October. Every year Mac 
takes a few of local filmdom on a week- 
end cruise of beauty spots in the North- 
west . . . Dorothy Greenslade has joined 
the office force of the Paramount ex- 
change . . . Sammy Siegel, getting a tele- 
gram from Harry Mills telling of the pass- 
ing of Eddie Hitchcock in Los Angeles . . . 
L. J. McGinley and Gordon Craddock (of 
Tillie fame), office managers of Seattle 
and Portland for Universal, flew to Chi- 
cago and back for a sales conference . . . 
Herman Wobber’s San Francisco secretary, 
Ray Telfer Jorgensen, was here for a spell 
on a vacation cruise with her new hubby. 


TRADE DIRECTORY 

- A HANDY GUIDE FOR THE EXHIBITOR - 

LOS ANGELES 


EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 


AIR CONDITIONING 


44 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


Week's Postponement of Hearing 
In Chicago Suit Over Clearance 


Strike Call 
Affects 120 


Chicago — Approximately 120 theatres in 
Chicago were being picketed this week as 
Boxoffice goes to press, as the Interna- 
tional Union of Operating Engineers, Local 
399, went on strike at midnight Wednes- 
day. The houses affected were B&K, 
Warner, Jones, Linick and Schaefer, and 
the RKO Palace Theatres in the Chicago 
area. 

Engineers, operating the heating and 
air-conditioning plants in all of the houses, 
were pulled off the job by Richard Wren, 
head of the union. The engineers seek 
return of a ten per cent cut which they 
granted during the ten-week summer 
period. Their regular salary of $46.00 per 
week is sought. Maurice Leonard, presi- 
dent of the Exhibitors’ Association, has 
been conferring with the union, but this 
week said that the exhibitors cannot stand 
for the return of the ten per cent slash. 


Negro Demand for More 
Work Representation 

Chicago- — Negro union members of the 
Chicago operators’ union this week were 
picketing several theatres on the south 
side in the harlem sections of the city. 
The Negro members demanded more work 
representation among the theatres whose 
patronage is colored. The matter was ex- 
pected to be settled late this week. 


Fitzgerald and Graas 

Address Fox Managers 

Green Bay, Wis. — Managers of north- 
ern Wisconsin and upper Michigan Fox 
and affiliated theatres held a two-day ses- 
sion at the Northland Hotel here. Speak- 
ers included H. J. Fitzgerald, Milwaukee, 
general manager of the circuit, and Cir- 
cuit Judge Henry A. Graas, Green Bay, 
who declared that theatres are a great 
educational factor. 

“You, gentlemen, have a great oppor- 
tunity to develop the character of the 
young moviegoer. To do this — and I think 
most of you will — you must use those three 
great elements of character: honesty, loy- 
alty and courtesy,” Judge Graas declared. 

Among those attending the sessions were : 
W. V. Geehan, V. T. Touchett, George 
Brown, John Bergant, Joseph Strother, L. 
Roy Pierce, all of Milwaukee; Elmer Bren- 
nan, Foster Norton and Joe Baisch, Green 
Bay; Harold Knudson, Beaver Dam; Wil- 
liam S. Ryan, Calumet, Mich.; L. A. Kel- 
ley, Verne Rounds, Cudahy; Charles Phar- 
ris, Robert Van Gilder, Harold Toilette, 
Fond du Lac; James Zanias, Janesville; 
Arthur Goddard, Hugh Flannery, John 
Scharnberg, Madison; K. A. Butterfield, 
Marinette; Ed Heister, Manitowoc; Gil- 
bert Courshon, Neenah-Menasha; Lou 
Welsch, Oshkosh; John Ferger, Racine; 
M. A. Neuman, Stevens Point; Lawrence 
Beltz, Wausau; E. J. Hickey, Russ Mc- 
Namee, Iron Mountain, Mich.; Clarence 
Wall, Menominee, Mich., and Nick Rajacic, 
Laurium, Mich. 


"Just Another Suit" 
Says Balahan 

New York — Asked by BOXOFFICE to 
comment on the suit filed by indepen- 
dents in Chicago against B&K and ma- 
jor companies, John Balaban replied: 

“What is there to say? It's just an- 
other suit." 

Majors Partition 
Land Is Charge 

Chicago — The independents’ bill of com- 
plaint filed against B&K and the major 
distributors, in giving a history of the 
industry, also charges that theatre acqui- 
sitions by the Paramount, Loew, Fox, 
Warner and RKO theatre groups, have 
been equally divided into sections in the 
U. S„ so that none are in direct compe- 
tition with each other, but only with inde- 
pendent exhibitors. 

It also details means of how B&K “se- 
cretly” conspired to discourage erection of 
competitive theatres in Chicago. 

In another section B&K is directly ac- 
cused of “owning and dominating” the 
H. and E. Balaban Corp., which operates 
the Esquire and other Chicago theatres. 
John Balaban has repeatedly denied that 
either B&K or Paramount have any inter- 
est in the H. & E. Balaban concern, oper- 
ated by Hairy and Elmer Balaban, brothers 
of John and Barney. 


Independents' Attorney 
A Trade Authority 

Chicago — Joseph Rosenberg, head of the 
firm of Rosenberg, Stein & Rosenberg, 
who filed the suit for the independents 
against B&K and the major distributors, 
is regarded as one of the best informed 
legal personalities on exhibition and dis- 
tribution in the country. Associated with 
him is the younger Aaron Stein, who has 
worked with Rosenberg on several indus- 
try cases in the past. They have several 
victories to their credit. 


Contests Compete 

Chicago — Two endurance contests, both 
of which started last week, are getting 
plenty of play away from local theatres. 
One is the walkathon of “champions,” at 
Rainbo Gardens, and the other is the 
Roller Derby, at the Coliseum. Due to the 
proximity of the Coliseum to Filmrow, it 
is even getting a lot of film folk in at- 
tendance. 


Chicago — Upon the request of B&K and 
major company attorneys, the hearing for 
a temporary injunction in the clearance 
and double feature suit filed by the inde- 
pendent Chicago exhibitors was postponed 
this week until next Thursday, October 6. 

B&K attorneys in the case are Kirkland, 
Fleming, Green, Martin and Ellis, with 
Joseph Fleming and T. M. Thomas handl- 
ing the case for the firm. Here during the 
past week to confer with B&K and the 
attorneys were the following lawyers from 
the New York offices of several majors; 
Leonard Picker of Columbia; Louis Phil- 
lips of Paramount; Howard Levinson of 
Warners, and William Savage of RKO. 

Meanwhile, answers to the 100 questions 
filed by the plaintiffs in the Gary The- 
atre Co. action against B&K-Warner The- 
atres, and the majors, were expected in 
federal court this week. The filing date 
was Friday, September 30, a date which 
had been extended twice from its original 
time. Next Tuesday, October 4, is the date 
set for hearing arguments for striking out 
M-G-M Distributing Corp., as one of the 
defendant companies, on the grounds that 
M-G-M Distributing Corp., had not been 
in business in Illinois since 1936. 


Grand National Regional 
To Discuss Product Plans 

Chicago — Product plans for the remain- 
der of the season were to be discussed to- 
day (Saturday, October 1) at the regional 
meeting of the New Grand National Pic- 
tures at the Stevens Hotel. Eddie Alper- 
son, vice-president, was due in from the 
west coast with Morris Safier to discuss 
the situation. 

Others expected here were: Ben Ben- 
jamin, Chicago; Thomas Tobin, St. Louis; 
Peter Rosian, Cleveland; Russell Borg, 
Kansas City; Lou Levy, Des Moines; Lou 
Patz, Milwaukee; Glen Gregory, Minne- 
apolis; Bill Crystal, Omaha; A1 Mertz, 
Dallas; Ralph Kinsler, Cincinnati; H. H. 
Hull, Indianapolis; Ralph Peckham, De- 
troit; Bradley Fish, Salt Lake City; Bill 
Riter, Los Angeles; Cleve Adams, New 
Orleans; Hymie Novitsky, Denver, and 
James Winn, San Francisco. 

New Paramount Theatre , 
Ft. Wayne , Opening Oct. 1 

Ft. Wayne, Ind. — An earlier opening 
date than that previously announced is 
planned for the Paramount Theatre, ac- 
cording to Mannie Marcus, manager. 

The date has been set for Saturday, 
October 1, with a gala program to be ar- 
ranged for the opening. 

Stage shows will be presented as a regu- 
lar feature of the billings seven days a 
week. The stage is being remodeled and 
enlarged to better accommodate vaude- 
ville shows. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 C 


45 


Exchange Managers and Salesmen 
Rally for "Greatest Year" Drive 


By DAVE BARRETT 

St. Louis — A final pep ’em up meeting 
for local exchange managers and their 
salesmen in connection with the Motion 
Pictures’ Greatest Year campaign, was 
held at the Fox Screening Room at 11 
a. m. with Benny B. Reingold, 20th Cen- 
tury-Fox manager; C. D. Hill, Columbia 
Pictures, manager; Fred Wehrenberg, pres- 
ident MPTO of St. Louis, E. Mo. and So. 
111., as the principal pepper slingers. 

Prior to the gathering, the St. Louis 
district was setting a pace for public par- 
ticipation in the $250,000 Quiz contest, 
far above the national average. So great 
has been the cash customer demand for 
the quiz booklets, the few exhibitors who 
held back were virtually swept into par- 
ticipation by their own patrons. 

It is estimated that already about 150,- 
000 of the booklets have been distributed 
through local houses. 

A total of 500,000 of the booklets are 
available here and it is expected that be- 
fore December 31 rolls around this big 
supply will be exhausted. 

With St. Louis proper now practically 
100 per cent for the big campaign the 
film salesmen are to concentrate their ex- 
ploitation efforts on the smaller cities in 
this area. 


John Balaban Praises 
Conduct of Drive 

Chicago — In a letter to George J. Schaef- 
er, chairman of the motion picture in- 
dustry drive, John Balaban of Balaban & 
Katz, offers his praise to those in charge 
of the campaign, and expresses the opin- 
ion that business has been stimulated by 
the Movie Quiz contest. 

The letter reads: 

“Now that the Movie Quiz Contest has 
been under way for some days, and know- 
ing how much of your time has been given 
to it (also knowing how thankless these 
jobs usually are), I felt you would like to 
have an expression from someone out in 
the ‘sticks’. 

“I told Barney this morning that I am 
sorry he has not been in Chicago this past 
week, as I know he would be proud, not 
only of the tremendous amount of activity 
that has been put into the campaign, but 
also how intelligently, in my opinion, it 
has been handled — and it is that thought 
I wanted to relate to you. 

“While the benefit accruing to our box- 
office because of the Movie Quiz is in- 
tangible, as you know, I am happy to say 
that not a few of our managers are of the 
opinion that the contest has stimulated 
their business. 

“Thanks to you and all those that gave 
their time to the Movie Quiz contest, and 
also my kindest personal regards.” 


Newspaper Adds to 
Quiz Prize 

Chicago — Plans were to be com- 
pleted this week whereby the Chicago 
Herald & Examiner is to offer $2,500 in 
prizes to local winners in the national 
Quiz contest. Details were worked out 
with Harold Waller, amusement adver- 
tising manager of the Hearst paper, and 
Larry Stein of Warner theatres; Eddie 
Solomon of B&K and Herb Elisburg of 
Essaness Theatres. 

Wisconsin Mayors 
Endorse Campaign 

Milwaukee — In connection with the in- 
dustry’s national advertising campaign, 
exhibitors in various Wisconsin cities have 
secured the endorsement of their mayors 
lauding the drive. 

At Merrill, Mayor W. H. AuBuchon pro- 
claimed September 25 as Movie Day “for 
special observance by the citizens of Mer- 
rill in celebrating the motion pictures’ 
greatest year, and I do also urge the citi- 
zens of Merrill to participate to the full- 
est measure in -this fall celebration.” 

Delbert Miller, mayor of West Allis, 
proclaimed September 22 “the beginning 
of the campaign in West Allis to make 
this year the greatest in the history of 
moving pictures and humbly ask the citi- 
zens of West Allis to consider the eco- 
nomic, social and civic value of these en- 
tertainment institutions.” 

Albert J. Rosenthal, mayor of Fond du 
Lac, in his proclamation declared that 
“Whereas, the motion picture industry has 
throughout the years been increasingly 
cognizant of the public desires for better 
motion pictures, the pictures to be shown 
during the coming season are splendid 
examples of the industry to meet these 
demands. I hereby venture to say that 
this present season will be one of the 
greatest picture years in their history.” 


Nap- Ad Head Appoints 
Distributor in Chicago 

Chicago — Victor Cornelius, head of the 
Cornelius Nap-Ad Co., this week appointed 
the Photoplay Advertising Co. as Chicago 
and St. Louis distributors for his promo- 
tion plan of advertising for theatres in 
restaurants. The Nap-Ad Co. has repre- 
sentatives in 32 states throughout the south 
and west. The home office is Eastland, 
Texas. 


Quiz Boners 
Get Plugs 

Chicago — The Chicago American’s Doro- 
thy Deere gave plenty of space to the five 
boners in the Movie Quiz Contest, or “free 
rides” as she termed them, in a recent 
column. 

Writing that instead of covering up 
“their confusion by representing these dis- 
crepancies as intended ‘catchers,’ they 
have taken the hard way out and con- 
fessed them as unavoidable mistakes,” the 
film critic reviewed the five pictures to 
which wrong answers are listed in the con- 
test booklets. 

Clark Rodenbach, Daily News film critic, 
gave some space to common questions be- 
ing asked of theatre managers in regard 
to the contest, and gave the answers. 
Aside from the ordinary questions being 
asked, he included these: 

“Q. — How much, if I win, will Uncle 
Sam want in taxes? 

“A. — You take that question up with 
Uncle Sam. 

“Q. — Can I spend it right away? 

“A. — You’re darn’ right. Anything 
to stimulate buying.” 


Wagner's Maintenance 
Service by Tom Flannery 

Chicago — Tom Flannery, president of 
Whiteway Electric Sign and Maintenance 
Co., announces that his firm has purchas- 
ed the maintenance and manufacturing 
end of Wagner Sign Service in Chicago, 
Cook and adjoining counties. 

The rise of Tom Flannery to top post 
in the sign and marquee business in Chi- 
cago is well known to Windy City exhibi- 
tors. Hard-working and energetic, Flan- 
nery has been in the maintenance end of 
the industry since 1912, when he was with 
the old Thomas Cusack Co. For the last 
14 years he has had his own company, 
Whiteway, and has steadily built it up till 
he now employes 40 persons. The only 
time he was out of the business was 
30 months during the war when he served 
as a master signal electrician and com- 
missioned officer with the army. 

The United Artists modernized vertical 
sign, recently remodeled by Whiteway, is 
said to be the largest in the middle west. 
The company just completed a new modern 
marquee and sign for the Goodman and 
Harrison Douglas Theatre, and is now 
working on marquees for the Capitol and 
Jeffery theatres. 

A firm believer in new ideas, Flannery 
has announced that henceforth all of his 
marquees will be built of stainless steel 
and porcelain enamel. — G. R. 


"Roller Derby" 

Chicago — A new show business is Leo 
Seltzer’s “Roller Derby” currently at the 
Coliseum at 15th and Wabash here. Sam 
Ward, local publicity maestro, is handling 
the news contacts on the derby. 


46 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


Jurg Absolves Theatre Manager 
Of Bank Night Lotterg Charge 


"Boys Town" Gross 
Hits High 

Appleton, Wis. — "Boys Town" at the 
Rio Theatre here grossed the largest 
for the house in the past five and a 
half years, according to Stanley Gross, 
manager of the theatre. The film 
showed four days at the Rio and was 
then shifted to the Appleton for an- 
other four days. Both houses are 
operated by Jack Silliman, Milwaukee. 

Dual Bills Wedge 
Into the Esquire 

Chicago — It had to come sooner or later, 
and with the Esquire Theatre it was later. 

Meaning, of course, the capitulation of 
the Harry and Elmer Balaban exclusive 
North Side show palace from single fea- 
tures to duals. After holding on tena- 
ciously for seven months, since its open- 
ing back in February, the Esquire first 
double bill was M-G-M’s “Love Finds Andy 
Hardy,” and 20th Century-Fox’s “Little 
Miss Broadway.” 

How was business? The answer from all: 
“Practically sensational.” 

The house did much better on this dou- 
ble feature bill than for many weeks dur- 
ing the last couple months as a single- 
feature house. However, it was definitely 
said this week that the house will not 
become a double-feature theatre entirely, 
but that outstanding product will be run 
singly with the now familiar and appealing 
“Esquire Hour,” consisting of short sub- 
jects and newsreels. 

“South Riding,” an English production 
being released in this country by United 
Artists, will be single featured by the 
house this week. 


Rename Carbondale House 

Carbondale, III. — The Gem Theatre has 
been renamed the Rodgers. 


Dishes at the Rosenblatt and Welt Or- 
pheum in Jersey City have given way to 
a colored stage show once a week. 

A Pennsylvania supreme court decision 
on the legality of Bingo, Banko and other 
cash games in the state will be made the 
fourth Monday in November. Five Bingo 
operators were recently exonerated of lot- 
tery charges by a Berks county jury, a fact 
which may influence the high court’s final 
decision. 

Numerous circuits are signing for “Magic 
Eye,” new boxoffice stimulant, reports 
Claude Ezell, general sales manager. Most 
recent chains to sign are the Sparks, 
Interstate, Fox Midwest, John Harris, B&K, 
M. A. Lightman and Dixie Amusement, a 
Saenger affiliate. Also ten RKO houses 


"Boys Town" Wins High 
Praise From Catholics 

Indianapolis — Representatives and lead- 
ers of the Roman Catholic faith in this 
city were more than pleased with the 
photoplay “Boys Town,” and of the por- 
trayal of Father Flanagan. 

After seeing the picture at a private 
screening for the Catholic clergy of the 
city, the Rev. Henry F. Dugan, chancellor 
of the Indianapolis diocese highly recom- 
mended the picture, as well as the editor 
of the Cable, and the chairman of the 
Legion of Decency in Indiana. 

Representatives of other sects, too, have 
praised the photoplay. 


Sack Amusement Handles 
"Racketeers" in Chicago 

Chicago — “Religious Racketeers,” Fan- 
chon Royer’s exploitation special featuring 
Mrs. Harry Houdini, widow of the late 
magician, will be distributed in the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee, and St. Louis territories 
by Sack Amusement Enterprises of this 
city. 

The Sack exchange was opened in early 
September with Saul Goldman as branch 
manager. 


Robertson Promoted 

Bedford, Ind. — O. H. Robertson, former 
manager of the Indiana Theatre in Salem, 
and the Indiana and Liberty theatres in 
Washington, Ind., has been named exploi- 
tation head for the McCarroll circuit in 
Bedford. 


in New York City have adopted the stimu- 
lant and the Lieberman circuit in New 
England is testing it in Brockton, Mass. 

“Wahoo,” a dart-throwing game for 
which participants are picked through a 
keno game, lost a restrainer order it had 
obtained, when a Detroit circuit court 
ruled the game a lottery, and dissolved 
the injunction halting police interference. 

A new giveaway plan in the field pro- 
vides a set of 43 classic works, and two 
reference books as free gifts to theatre 
patrons. Newly appointed distributors in 
Ohio are Harry Lande and Nate Gerson. 

A petition bearing approximately 300,- 
000 signatures asks the lifting of the ban 
on Bingo in Bridgeport, Conn. 


La Crosse, Wis. — A six-man jury in 
county court here found Ted Bolnick, man- 
ager of Welworth’s Hollywood theatre, not 
guilty of conducting a lottery at the house 
in connection with the operation of Bank 
Night. 

The jury’s decision resulted in dismissal 
of a similar action against William Friese, 
manager of the Rivoli Theatre and the La 
Crosse Theatres Co., and the return of 
Bank Night equipment seized by the po- 
lice, to both houses. 

The defense contended that purchase of 
an admission ticket to the theatre was no 
“consideration” paid for the prize award. 
Quiet applause from the audience greeted 
the verbal attacks of District Attorney 
William H. Stevenson upon the institu- 
tion of Bank Night and its evils. 


Miller Is Building 

Waterloo, Wis. — Henry Miller has start- 
ed work on a new air-conditioned 300- 
seat house here. The theatre is expected 
to be ready for opening about Thanks- 
giving. 


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BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


47 



Chicago Greets Sabu 



Greeted at the Chicago city airport by exhibitors and members of the local 
United Artists exchange, Sabu is shown here, as he landed on his Chicago 
lap of the tour via United Airlines on behalf of “Drums.” Flanking the 
group are the two Sikh bodyguards of the star. Others are, left to right: 
Jim Booth, Essajiess; Irving Schlank, U A branch manager ; Sabu; Jerry Shin- 
bach, Granada Theatre, South Bend, Ind.; Morris Helprin, press repre- 
sentative for Alexander Korda in New York; and Lynn Farnol, UA adver- 
tising and publicity director. 



One of the few pictures of Chicago’s critics, even a part of them, is this one 
taken with Sabu, when he came through Chicago last week. Left to right: 
Dorothy Day, Herald and Examiner; Sabu; Dorothy Deere, Evening Amer- 
ican; a?id Clark Rodenbach, Daily News. 


Sabu Bitten by 
Chicago Monkeg 

By GENE RICH 

Chicago — Alexander Korda’s Sabu — even 
the youngster wouldn’t attempt to pro- 
nounce his last name himself for us — 
saw a lot more of western civilization 
during a day’s stop-off in the Windy City 
last week as a part of his nation-wide 
tour in behalf of UA’s “Drums.” 

And during the coarse of the reception 
at the city airport, where he landed on 
a United Airlines’ Mainliner, Sabu proved 
that a star does not have to be endowed 
with so-called “temperament,” even if he 
is bitten by a monkey. 

One of the gags arranged for press pic- 
tures was that Sabu was to pose with a 
monkey, appropriated by Art Catlin from 
one of Chicago’s many organ-grinders. 
(Aside to other publicists — or press agents, 
if you must — the monkey cost $5.00 for 


the afternoon) . All went well until some- 
one decided that Sabu would not be greet- 
ing a civilized monkey all dressed up. So, 
to make him appear in the state of wild 
life, the monkey’s hat and clothes were 
removed. Evidently, the monk didn’t like 
the idea for the minute he got next to 
Sabu, he showed his modesty was hurt by 
biting a hunk out of his left thumb. 

Instead of ranting about that he was 
dying, the star said: “Oh, it’s nothing, I’ve 
gotten much worse from elephants and 
tigers in India.” However, Morns Hel- 
prin, Alexander Korda’s American press 
representative, who was along to see that 
nothing happened to a million-dollar prop- 
erty that the English producer won’t even 
loan to his American co-producers in Uni- 
ted Artists, was insistent that Sabu be 
taken to a doctor. And Lynn Farnol, UA’s 
advertising chief, loudly seconded the idea. 
Possibly they were so used to tempera- 
mental stars that they thought the young- 
ster was out of his head when he said it 
didn’t hurt him. 

After having the wound cauterized with- 
out flinching one bit, Sabu was ready for 
the rounds that Catlin had prepared for 


his valuable charge. These included taking 
of natural color photographs, under Eddie 
Johnson’s tutelage at the Chicago Tri- 
bune; a visit with Columnist Ed Sullivan 
at the Chicago Theatre; a trip about 
Chicago’s loop; dinner at the Tavern Club 
with the daily and trade press; and a 
wild drive to the city airport to get there 
before the plane left for the coast. 


Permanent Exploitation 
Staff Idea Still Boils 

Chicago — Lynn Farnol, advertising di- 
rector for United Artists, while here last 
week, said that plans were still up in the 
air as to developing a permanent exploi- 
tation staff in the various territories. 

“As soon as we know more about the 
way our product will come through we can 
do more toward setting our men up on a 
permanent basis,” Farnol told Boxoffice. 

Morris Helprin, Korda’s press represen- 
tative in New York, said that “we are 
spending only a couple days in Hollywood 
with Sabu, in order to avoid refusing too 
many producers a chance of borrowing 
the star of ‘Drums.’ Korda definitely has 
determined that the young Sabu will make 
pictures for him only.” 


Michael Todd Gives Show 
With " Kute Kris Kringle" 

Chicago — It may be only 100 days to 
Christmas but Michael Todd has come 
home to Chicago from Broadway to give 
Windy City exhibitors and those in the 
nation at large a real Christmas present 
for their theatres. 

It’s “Kute Kris Kringle,” and to use 
Mike’s own words: “He’s three inches tall 
in his stocking feet, he walks, he talks, 
he breathes.” And that’s all you’ll hear 
Mike Todd saying these days, wherever he 
may be. 

Kute Kris Kringle has taken exhibitors 
by storm all over the country, and here 
is being exhibited in the Todd offices on 
Randolph St. 

The deal he is offering exhibitors with 
his miniature Santa Claus is for the 
period from Thanksgiving Day to Christ- 
mas. All hours of the day you can find 
exhibitors in this territory spending time 
watching Kute Kris Kringle and his antics 
in the brilliantly lighted miniature model 
house, surrounded with toys, and always 
rarin’ to talk with you on the miniature 
French telephone to learn “what you want 
for Christmas.” 

Kunstmann Is Reelected 
Stage Ass'n President 

Sheboygan, Wis. — J ohn Kunstmann jr„ 
president of the Wisconsin Ass’n of Stage 
Employes and Projectionists, was re-elect- 
ed to that office at the group’s annual 
meeting here in connection with the con- 
vention of the State Federation of Labor. 
Kunstmann served as arrangements chair- 
man of the state convention. 

The following officers of the associ- 
ation were re-elected: Ralph Percifield, 
Beaver Dam, vice-president; S. J. Thomas, 
Racine, secretary, and Stanley Przlomski, 
Kenosha, treasurer. 


48 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 



Extended Newsreel 
Program at Woods 

Chicago — With the Woods Theatre using 
two complete newsreels at each change 
of program beginning this week, there was 
speculation along Randolph St. as to what 
is up the showmanship sleeve of Herb 
Elisburg, who is managing the house for 
Essaness. 

It is understood that product is be- 
coming more scarce weekly for the loop 
house. However, every newsreel in the 
business is available to the house and 
Elisburg has not been wasting any space 
in telling his patrons about the complete 
“uncensored” newsreel coverage the Woods 
is offering. 

It is said that the “Esses” — Silverman, 
Spiegel and Stern — are huddling with 
Elisburg over the possibility of enlarg- 
ing the scope of the newsreel offerings 
still farther and presenting about thirty 
minutes of news in celluloid plus one 
feature. 

Then, there is always the possibility, too, 
that the house might be turned into a grind 
newsreel theatre, since its location at 
Randolph and Dearborn is as ideal as any 
spot in the city for such a venture. 


B&K Garrick Starts 
Policy Featuring Newsreels 

Chicago — While the Woods Theatre has 
been featuring its newsreel activity for 
three weeks and this week went to two 
newsreel issues at each showing, the Gar- 
rick Theatre, B&K house next door to 
it, this week began featuring its news- 
reel showings. A similar newsreel ballyhoo 
board to the one the Woods uses, has been 
set out in front of the Garrick. 

This presages a possible newsreel war 
between the Essaness Woods and the 
B&K Garrick, since B&K some months 
ago announced that they would turn the 
Garrick into an exclusive newsreel house. 

Alteration Contract lor 
Jacksonville House Let 

Jacksonville, III. — The Fox Midwest 
Agency Corp., owners of the Illinois The- 
atre, have awarded the general contract for 
alterations and improvements to that 
1,039-seater to Smirl & Gibson of Jack- 
sonville. 

The theatre will be given a new front. 
It measures 70 by 188 feet. Plans for the 
improvements were prepared by R. O. 
Boiler of Kansas City. 

A&S Amusement Acquires 
Sheboygan Falls Theatre 

Sheboygan Falls, Wis. — Michael Len- 
cione, operator of the Falls Theatre here, 
has sold the house to the A&S Amusement 
Co. of Milwaukee. The latter were to take 
possession September 24. 

Lencione, who has operated in Sheboy- 
gan Falls for the past five years plans to 
re-enter exhibition at Kenosha following 
a vacation trip to Florida. 


1 E. (DOC) BANFORD, M-G-M mana- 
ger here, was huddled with Fernand 
Gravet, star of “The Great Waltz,” when 
he was here recently, trying to get some 
of the lowdown on Paris, where Doc will 
go with 19 other international Leo win- 
ners during October . . . Jack Shumow, 
M-G-M sales manager, was out in the 
territory last week. News, he calls it, and 
news it is. Ditto for Dave Moskowitz, in 
charge of bookers for the local office. 

We got a laugh out of Clark Roden- 
bach’s remark at the Sabu dinner party 
the other night. Said the Daily News 
film heckler: “It’s funny, but why is it 
that at all of these press parties, the 
press talks to everybody but the guest of 
honor” . . . Evelyn Young, formerly with 
Photoplay Advertising , was the charming 
visitor there last week. 

HERE and GONE: 

George Bums and Gracie Allen were 
here last week en route from Kansas 
City, where they appeared at the Jubi- 
lesta, to New York. They stopped at 
the Blackstone Hotel . . . Also at the 
Blackstone were Mrs. Charles Boyer 
(Pat Paterson), en route back to the 
coast, and Irene Rich, who stayed over 
the weekend . . . George Raft was 
here for some time this week, coming 
from the coast on the Santa Fe Super 
Chief. 

Our secret service operative ( sh-sh-it’s 
Dick Sachsel) tells us that Oscar Bern- 


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MAINTENANCE 


Whiteway Electric Sign & Maintenance Co. 
Tom Flannery, President 
315-17 W. Walton Street 
Phone DELaware 9111 


GATEWAY GARDENS 

1136-38 South Wabash — Phone WEB 0799 
COCKTAIL BAR— RESTAURANT 

Banquets — private parties — business meet- 
ings — card parties — our private dining room 
is ideal. 


stein erred a little in his report about the 
dish-washing episode. It should be Oscar 
himself, with apron and all, vows Dick. 

It looks like B&K took advantage of 
the Jewish holidays right in the bookings 
for the Garrick Theatre. First there was 
“Hold That Coed,” during Rosh Hashonah, 
and this week it’s to be “Touchdown 
Army,” for Yom Kippur. Two pigskin pic- 
tures for the Yiddish film fans! 

Joe McMahon, formerly of the Milwau- 
kee office, is now northern Illinois sales- 
man for M-G-M out of Chicago, succeed- 
ing Max Brodsky, who resigned . . . De- 
spite the fact that Herb Elisburg offers 
his liard-of-hearing patrons at the Woods 
Theatre ear-phones without the necessity 
of their having to give a deposit or sign 
a slip, there never has been a set stolen. 


Simplex lor F&M 

St. Louis — Fanchon & Marco have re- 
cently purchased Simplex sound equip- 
ment for the Aubert, Kingsland, Lafayette 
and Manchester theatres. Similar equip- 
ment is being installed in the McNair The- 
atre operated by Walter A. Thimmig and 
in the new Longwood Theatre on South 
Broadway which opened recently. 


Improve at Litchfield 

Litchfield, III. — The marquee of the 
725-seat Capitol, operated by the Frisina 
Amusement Co., is being reconstructed. 


POSTER EXCHANGES 


THEATRE MANAGERS 

Save Time and Money. Use our lobby 
Advertising rental plan. All posters 
from one source — 50% saving — one 
weekly invoice. NO CONTRACTS. 

All posters, complete silk screen processed 
banners and Hollywood transparencies. 

Majority of our accounts with us at 
least 10 years. Record speaks for itself. 

PHOTOPLAY ADVERTISING COMPANY 

1243 S. Wabash Ave. 331 1-A Olive St. 
Chicago St. Louis 


A. B. C. PRINTERS, INC. 

We Print Everything Theatrical 
1225 South Wabash — Chicago 
For lowest prices Call — VIC 3456 


FILMROW RESTAURANTS 


THEATRICAL PRINTING 


TRADE DIRECTORY 

■ a.. A HANDY GUIDE FOR THE EXHIBITOR ■ ■■■■ — 

CHICAGO 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


49 


Make a Concession 
In Lexington Suit 


St. Louis — By leave of the court, Cir- 
cuit Judge William S. Connor, presiding, 
Joseph Boxer man was permitted to enter 
his appearance as attorney for the defense 
in the suit brought by Lewis Eaton and 
Mrs. Eva Colonna, co-partners in the 
operation of the Lexington Theatre, to 
restrain Constable Langston Harrison, of 
the fourth district, from interfering with 
the operation of the house. 

By consent of counsel the case was con- 
tinued before Judge Connor to October 6 
at 10 a. m. The defendant was granted 
until that time to file its return. In the 
meantime the temporary restraining order 
against Constable Harrison will continue 
in force until the court can consider the 
case on its merits. 

Harrison, acting under an execution is- 
sued in favor of the 20th Century-Fox 
Film Corp. on a $750 judgment against an 
employe of the Lexington Theatre, levied 
against the theatre receipts a few weeks 
ago and sought to impound the boxoffice 
receipts from day to day. To combat this 
action Eaton and Mrs. Colonna filed the 
action in the circuit court. 

At the hearing to be held on October 6, 
Constable Harrison must show cause why 
he should not be enjoined from interfering 
with the operation of the theatre. 


" Jesse James " Location 
Crew Finishing Chore 

Pineville, Mo. — The local work on 20th 
Century-Fox’s “Jesse James” has virtual- 
ly been completed and the directors and 
stars et al will leave soon for the coast. 
Two companies were working last week. 
Otto Brower had a new crew doing back- 
grounds for the film. 

Casualties continue as the film folk tried 
to be as hardboiled as those old terrors 
of these parts, Jesse and Frank James 
and the Younger Boys. Henry Fonda do- 
ing “Frank James” suffered a bruise and 
powder burns on his right leg several days 
ago when an old style pistol discharged 
accidentally. Fonda resumed work after 
first aid treatment. 


Gordon H. Simmons Co. 

Theatre Heating, 
Ventilating 
and Air Conditioning 

Plans and Estimates Furnished. 
No Obligation. 

926 North Cass Street 
MILWAUKEE, WIS. 

Phone, Daly 2552 


Radio Nets Have 
Him Worried 

Chicago — One independent exhibitor 
here, forgetting momentarily ''clear- 
ance'' grievances in favor of the play- 
by-play description by radio nets on 
the troubled European situation, is 
plainly worried about possible conse- 
quences at the boxoffice in event of 
an honest-to-goodness war. 

Final Distribution 
Of Assets Granted 

Ft. Wayne, Ind. — Judge Fay W. Leas, in 
superior court No. 1, has authorized Hugh 
G. Keegan, receiver of the Orpheum Thea- 
tre Co., to make a final six per cent dis- 
tribution of remaining assets of the re- 
ceivership, to holders of approved claims. 

The court ordered the receiver to submit 
a final report after the last distribution 
of assets has been completed. 

After Keegan was appointed receiver of 
the company Feb. 22, 1933, claims aggre- 
gating $3,372,000 were filed against the 
receivership. 

Earlier this month Judge Leas had au- 
thorized the receiver to enter into a set- 
tlement and release plan with general cred- 
itors resident in New York state, and the 
release of these creditors was filed in court 
September 22. 

The last current report of the receiver 
was filed Sept. 16, 1936, and revealed total 
remaining assets of $14,500.26. These as- 
sets included $5,617.12 cash on hand, 
$1,464.37 in an impounded account with 
the Old First National Bank and Trust 
Co.; an impounded account of $2,418.77 in 
the American Trust Co., of South Bend; 
and $5,000 in the Irving Trust Co. of New 
York City, total impounded assets amount- 
ing to $8,883.14. 

Since the filing of this current report, 
Keegan charges himself with receipts of 
$6,035.50, including balance of cash on 
hand from former current report, $5,617.12, 
and a ten per cent cash liquidation divi- 
dend from the Old First National Bank 
& Trust Co. on $4,183.89, amounting to 
$418.38. 

Total disbursements during the period 
since the last current report amount to 
$4,353.49, leaving a balance of $1,682.01, 
less $35 for court costs and costs of pub- 
lication on final report, or a final balance 
of $1,647.01. The report submitted to the 
court shows that claims aggregating $27,- 
561.80 are now on file with the receiver. 
Tire largest of this is one for $23,577.38 
of the Fox Realty Co. 

The receiver reported to the court that 
he had paid attorneys for the receivership, 
$600, and that he allowed himself $1,250 
for receiver fees, for service, covering man- 
agement of the receivership for approxi- 
mately 80 months, dining which he states 
he was compelled to make many trips to 
New York City and elsewhere in the in- 
terest' of the receivership. 


"Moviettes" to 14 
Towns in Illinois 

Chicago — M-G-M’s traveling “Marion- 
ette Moviettes” unit will tour 14 towns in 
Illinois this coming week as advance pro- 
motion for “Marie Antoinette.” All of the 
theatres to be visited will be Great States 
houses, except the Illinois Theatre, Ma- 
comb, which is a part of the Hainline cir- 
cuit. 

With the unit is Capt. Volney Phifer, 
who has been in charge of numerous 
M-G-M cross-country tours in the past. 
All advance press arrangements were made 
this week by Bill Bishop, M-G-M ex- 
ploiteer out of Chicago. 

The Marionettes used in the show are 
costumed similar to the characters in 
“Marie Antoinette,” and actual excerpts 
from the sound track of the film are re- 
corded on records and used with the action 
of the Marionettes. 

Towns and theatres to be visited include ; 
Fischer Theatre at Danville, and Virginia 
at Champaign, today, October 1; Lincoln 
at Decatur, Irvin at Bloomington, Plumb 
at Streator, on Monday, October 3; Para- 
mount at Aurora and Crocker at Elgin, 
Tuesday, October 4; Coronado at Rock- 
ford and Rialto at Joliet, Wednesday, 
October 5; Paramount at Kankakee and 
Majestic at LaSalle, Thursday, October 6; 
Peerless at Kewanee and Orpheum at 
Galesburg, Friday, October 7; and Illinois 
at Macomb, Saturday, October 8. 

NTS Furnishes Vincennes 
Theatre With Equipment 

Indianapolis — The Pantheon Theatre 
Co., Vincennes, Ind., has purchased com- 
plete equipment for their Fort Sackville 
Theatre from the National Theatre Sup- 
ply Co., including sound and mechanisms, 
with lamps and copper oxide rectifiers. 
The projection room equipment makes the 
new theatre booth one of the finest in the 
state. A sound screen and an electric tick- 
et register were bought for the boxoffice. 

The Indiana Theatre, Bloomington; the 
Alhambra Theatre, Rockport, and the 
Capital Theatre, Ft. Wayne, have installed 
new screens. The Princeton Theatre, 
Princeton, has installed new lamps, gen- 
erator and rear shutter projectors. Na- 
tional also is equipping the Colonial The- 
atre, Anderson, with new box spring seat 
bottoms. 


Nichols in Racine 

Racine — Don Nichols, formerly manager 
of the Rex at Sheboygan, has been named 
manager of the Venetian Theatre here. 
Before his transfer to Wisconsin, Nichols 
managed the Warner Broadway Theatre 
in Charlotte, N. C., for seven years. 


Warm Weather a Brake on Takes 

Chicago — Business in Chicago was some- 
what below par this week due to the warm 
weather of the Indian summer season. 


50 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


All Illinois Locals 
Attend Conference 


Peoria, III. — Every local in the state 
was represented at a meeting of the Illi- 
nois state conference of moving picture 
machine operators at a dinner at the Pere 
Marquette Hotel here. 

David McClugage was given a gold watch 
and chain in appreciation for favorable 
legislation while he was a member of the 
legislature at Springfield. 

Roger Kennedy, Detroit, international 
vice-president, presided. Len Worley, city 
manager of Public-Great States Theatres, 
Gus and George Kerasotes, Springfield, 
and other exhibitors attended. 

Prank Strickling, Elgin, is secretary of 
the state conference and John H. Wald, 
Peoria; Fred E. Shoup, and Charles E. 
Horn, Springfield, business agent of the 
Springfield operator’s local, Ray McNickle 
and Stickling are members of the legisla- 
tive executive board. 


Municipal Theatre Will 
Take Construction Bids 

St. Louis — The St. Louis board of pub- 
lic service and the Municipal Theatre 
Ass’n will take bids at noon on October 
25 on the general contract for the con- 
struction of pergolas or shelters Nos. A, 
B and D at the Municipal Theatre in 
Forest Park, electric work and fixtures. 

The improvements have been estimated 
to cost $200,000 and are to be financed in 
part by a PWA grant of $90,000. The 
architects in charge of the plans are 
Joseph D. Murphy and Kenneth E. Wisch- 
meyer of Washington University. 


Fred Mauck to Naperville 
From Oklahoma City Post 

Naperville, III. — Fred Mauck. formerly 
manager of the Yale Theatre, Oklahoma 
City, Okla., has been named manager of 
the Naper Theatre here. Robert F. Grif- 
fith, who was temporarily in charge here, 
is managing the Miller Theatre for the 
Anderson circuit, Woodstock, 111. 


Weekends at Nauvoo 

Nauvoo, III. — Francis David, operator of 
the Pictureplay Theatre in Hamilton, has 
opened the old Nauvoo opera house here 
as a motion picture theatre, and is of- 
fering film attractions on Saturdays and 
Sundays. 


Burgett at Pierceton 

Pierceton, III. — A. L. Burgett of Hunt- 
invton is the new manager and operator 
of the Liberty Theatre here, which has 
newly remodeled, including installation of 
new seats, new screen and latest sound 
equipment. 



^HE Frisina Amusement Co., with offices 
here, has started an extensive remod- 
eling program on the Strand Theatre at 
St. Charles, Mo., which it recently ac- 
quired from Robert Stemple. Costing $35,- 
000, the improvements will include a new 
marquee, carpets and lounges, and installa- 
tion of air conditioning. 

Pete Napote, popular manager of the 
F&K Esquire in Springfield, is visiting 
Chicago during his vacation. 

Dominic Frisina and J. B. Giachetto, 
president and general manager respective- 
ly of the Frisina Amusement Co., have 
returned from Chicago where they closed 
an M-G-M deal for their entire circuit. 

Bernie McCarthy, manager of the St. 
Louis RKO exchange, was in Springfield 
several days last week, arranging sched- 
ules. 

Max Tschauder, city manager of Frisina 
theatres, is busy getting established in the 
new home at 1508 South Douglas Ave., 
which he has just purchased. 

Cero Perducci, vice-president, and Dom- 
inic Giachetto, district manager and treas- 
urer of the Frisina Amusement Co., are 
making a periodic inspection tour of the 
entire Frisina circuit which consists of 
more than 40 theatres. 

Joseph Napote, nephew of J. B. and 
Dominic Giachetto of the Frisina thea- 
tres, has begun his duties in the auditing 
department of the Frisina home office 
here. 

Joe Perducci, son of Cero Perducci, vice- 
president of the Frisina Amusement Co., 
has returned to Notre Dame University to 
resume his studies. 

“Bill” Pyle of the M-G-M publicity de- 
partment was in Springfield last week 
assisting with a campaign for “Boys 
Town,” which was scheduled for a week’s 
run October 2-8 at the Orpheum Theatre. 

Herman Tanner, popular young theatre 
operator of Vandalia, has been busy 
bringing in new oil wells. He now has five 
in production. 

Joe Hewitt, operator of the Strand and 
Lincoln theatres at Robinson, 111., has 
returned from a four-week vacation in the 
east. 

Tom Price, owner of the Home Theatre, 
Oblong, III., is away on a two-week vaca- 
tion to Hot Springs, Ark. 

K. W. Rought, operator of the Star, New- 
ton, la., is the father of a new baby girl. 

Elvin H. Wiecks of the Temple Theatre, 
Staunton, III., is away on a three-week 
trip to the Atlantic coast. 

Mark Helling, manager of the Avalon 
Theatre, Lawrenceville, 111., has been trans- 
ferred to St. Charles, Mo., where he will 
manage the Strand Theatre, there, re- 
cently acquired by the Frisina Co. H. E. 
Stevens, manager of the Lyric at Green- 


ville, will fill the post vacated by Helling 
at Lawrenceville. 

Jack Thoma, midwest publicity director 
for Columbia, has been in Springfield lin- 
ing up a campaign for “ You Can’t Take It 
With You” with Dave Jones, advertising 
manager of Kerasotes Senate. 

George Kerasotes, general manager of 
the Kerasotes circuit, was a recent visitor 
to Filmrow in Chicago. 

Sharing equal sorrow are Robert Dehen, 
doorman at the Strand, and Tom Fern- 
andes, doorman at the Pantheon, because 
of the death of their fathers within a week 
of each other. 

Miss Mary Willa Moore, cashier at the 
Pantheon Theatre, was injured in an auto 
accident north of Springfield and had to 
remain in the hospital for several days. 

George Barber is remodeling the Em- 
pire at Chrisman, III. 

John Marlow is opening the second small 
house in Herrin, 111., which will operate 
until the Hippodrome Theatre, recently 
destroyed by fire, can be reconstructed. 

Clarence Denney has his State Theatre 
at Roodhouse ready to open after re- 
modeling. 

A. H. Keuss has completed remodeling 
and reseating his Community Theatre at 
New Athens, 111. 

Paul Brands is drawhig up plans for a 
new front on the Elmo Theatre at St. 
Elmo, III. 

Guy Faul and Jesse Overton have com- 
pleted the new front on their Lyric at 
Winchester, 111. 

F. A. Barnes, manager of the Strand at 
Carmi, 111., and H. L. Pitner, manager of 
the Strand at Fairfield, III., are on an ex- 
tended fishing trip to Lake-of-the-Woods, 
Canada. 

J. W. Hayton, operator of the Hayton at 
Carterville, 111., is making plans for a new 
theatre there. 

The Roxy of the Jarodsky Enterprises, 
at Paris, III., has closed temporarily . 

E. H. Hays of the Grand, Sullivan, 111., 
has returned from an extensive trip 
through the east. 

A. R. Zimmer, manager of the Fox-Lin- 
coln, Springfield, announced that business 
has returned to normal following com- 
pletion of the new front for the theatre. 

The first stage show of the fall season 
was held at the Orpheum Theatre this 
week. 

M. E. Berman, manager of the Orpheum 
Theatre, is reported to be having a “won- 
derful” time while on a vacation with his 
wife to the West Indies. 

“Letter of Introduction,” which played a 
week at the Roxy Theatre, was held over 
for a continued run at the Tivoli. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


51 


sir , louis 

^LTHOUGH St. Louis has a goodly per- 
centage of persons of German birth 
or extraction the efforts of Hitler to im- 
pose his will on Czecho-Slovakia appar- 
ently isn’t very popular in this port. When 
a newsreel, “Prelude to Conquest,” was 
flashed on the screen at the Fox Theatre 
there were hisses for Hitler and applause 
for Benes, president of the Czechs. The 
film showed glimpses of Hitler making a 
radio speech, Czech troops on the march 
and shots of the famous Skoda munitions 
plant. 

State Senator Jack Shea, who formerly 
operated and managed various local mo- 
tion picture theatres, has been commis- 
sioned to attend the fall horse sales at 
Lexington, Ky., to buy some likely looking 
colts for some local gents with a yen to 
be successful race horse men. 

The local radio stations are to furnish 
gratis the entertainment for a one-hour 
free show to be presented in the Municipal 
Plaza the night of October 11 in connec- 
tion with the annual visit of The Veiled 
Prophet to the city. This radio show is 
the substitute for the three-day cele- 
bration that had been planned for the 
Municipal Auditorium in which it had been 
hoped Charlie McCarthy and Edgar Ber- 
gen and Tyrone Power would be among the 
headliners. 

If sufficient big screen and radio stars 
come here for the first national AFRA 
convention scheduled for November, Don 
Phillips, prexy of the St. Louis chapter, 
will arrange an international hookup to 
be aired via CBS, NBC and Mutual net- 
works. But to date Eddie Cantor, national 
president of AFRA is the only big timer 
who has definitely indicated he will be 
here. 

The local exchange workers union, af- 
filiate of the IATSE, has worked out a 
new agreement with the major distribu- 
tors to carry through to Nov. 30, 1939. 
As usual, the independents will go along. 
The exchange workers here have been 
organized for about 15 years and some 
months ago passed under the jurisdiction 
of IATSE. 

Johnny Mednikow of Chicago has add- 
ed the St. Louis territory to the area he 
serves for Trailer-Made, Inc. He also has 
Chicago and Milwaukee. 

Tommy Tobin, recently appointed local 
manager for Grand National, is very en- 
thusiastic about the outlook for his com- 
pany during the 1938-39 season, just get- 
ting under way. It will be recalled that 
Tommy opened the local Grand National 
office two years ago. Later he went with 
United Artists as a salesman. Bill Guinan, 
whom he replaced as Grand National man- 
ager, continues with the company as a 
salesman. 

The St. Louis Variety Club recently gave 
a farewell dinner at its headquarters in 
the Roosevelt Hotel to its secretary, Percy 
Barr, St. Louis manager for National Screen 
Service, who has been transferred to a 
similar post in Chicago. 


Boomer to Distribute 

Motiograph Equipment 

St. Lotus — Leroy R. Boomer has been 
appointed Motiograph distributor in this 
territory. 

Connected with show business most of 
his life, Boomer entered the equipment 
field in 1933, becoming general manager 
of Joe Goldberg Co., Chicago. He left this 
company to take over the Motiograph 
agency in St. Louis. 


Coster Export Manager 

Chicago — Victor B. Coster is now export 
manager of Motiograph, Inc. He was with 
the foreign department of Erpi since 1927 
and for the past six years manager in 
Argentina and Uruguay. 


Xmas Giveaway 

Chicago — A Christmas giveaway for the- 
atres announced by Photoplay Advertising 
Co. consists of a box of ten attractive 
holiday cards. 


Contract Conferences Continue 

Chicago — More conferences were due 
this week on the exhibitor-operator con- 
tract differences, with nothing new on the 
situation as Boxoffice goes to press. 



QJ.ROUND has been broken for the new 
theatre in Terre Haute, Ind., being 
erected by Garber and Renekind. at the 
corner of Seventh and Hulman Sts. 

Larry Shubnell, Columbia Pictures, is 
spending his vacation in Detroit, Mich. 

The Swan Theatre, Edmonton, Ky., has 
been reopened by Swartz and Goldman. 

The local Variety Club will feature one 
of the exchanges on Saturday night. The 
exchange will furnish the entertainment 
for the evening and invite their exhibitor 
friends. 

The Greencastle (Ind.) superintendent 
of schools was the host to 70 school teach- 
ers at the showing of “Spawn of the 
North” at the Von Castle Theatre, shown 
there during the past week. The opening 
of the photoplay started with a midnight 
show. 

Harvey Cocks, general manager, Quimby 
Circuit, returned from a business trip to 
New York City last week. 

The Quimby Circuit, Ft. Wayne, has 
purchased a tract of land on Calhoun 
St., just five city blocks from the Rialto 
Theatre, in the suburbs of the city. 

The Indiana Indorsers of Photoplays 
will open their fall and winter activities 
with a president’s luncheon in the Clay- 
pool Hotel, October 4. Mrs. David Ross, 
president of the organizatio-n, will pre- 
side, and Trueman Rembusch, Indiana 
circuit operator, will be the principal 
speaker. 



gTANLEY SEGELBAUM, who several 
years back was district supervisor for 
Fox Midwesco here, has returned as mana- 
ger of Fox’s Miller, downtown house. 

Frank Klapinski, assistant manager of 
the Campus Theatre in Ripon, was mar- 
ried here last week to Miss Anita Hui- 
zenga. 

H. J. Mirisch, manager of the Oriental 
and Tower theatres here, was host to some 
1,000 News-Sentinel carrier boys last week 
to see the current episode of “The Lone 
Ranger.” 

Articles of incorporation have been filed 
here by the Towne Theatres, Inc., with 
Mark A. Morgan, Ann Morgan and Horace 
Fredrickson as incorporators. 

Don Nickols and Floyd E. Wesp have 
switched managerial posts on the Warner 
circuit with the latter named manager of 
the circuit’s Rex in Sheboygan and the 
former succeeding Wesp at the Venetian 
in Racine. 

William C. Troutman, known to hun- 
dreds of Madisonians as director of the 
University of Wisconsin Theatre from 1928 
to 1934, has been named as assistant di- 
rector by M-G-M in Hollywood. 

Gilbert Courshon has announced re- 
opening of the Embassy Theatre at Nee- 
nah, September 29, after being dark for 
several months. 

A. C. Gutenberg again is operating his 
Grand, local neighborhood house, seven 
days a week since widening and repaving 
work in front of his house has been com- 
pleted. 

Stanford S. Kolhberg, new operator of 
the Falls Theatre at Sheboygan Falls, has 
announced plans for extensive remodeling 
of the theatre. 

Mermac Theatre at New London is un- 
dergoing extensive improvements including 
a new projection booth, screen and air- 
conditioning system. New projection 
equipment is being installed in the Grand 
Theatre in that city and former equip- 
ment will be shifted into the Mermac. 

Milwaukee has three holdovers this week 
in “Spawn of the North” and “Give Me 
a Sailor” at Fox’s Palace; “Boys Town” 
and “Speed to Burn” at the circuit’s Wis- 
consin, and “Moonlight Sonata” at the 
Pabst. 

Jake Eskin’s Rialto Theatre at Kaukauna 
is having its marquee prettied up. 

Warner-Saxe Parkway here is offering 
a Buck Nite amateur show on the stage 
each Friday. Auditions are held in the 
afternoon from 3 to 5:30 and winners 
are awarded cash prizes. 


Griever at Head of Theatre 

Chicago — Si Griever heads the corpora- 
tion which has reopened the Louis Theatre, 
Negro house, on East 35th St. It seats 
600 persons. 


52 


BOXOFFICE October 1, 1938 


MINNEAPOLIS TRADE AREA ENCOURAGED GY 
BUSINESS INCREASE OVER PRECEDING YEAR 


Really Gets Pants 
Knocked OH 

Keota, la. — Exhibitor Carl Parsons 
was adjusting the tan in his cooling 
equipment. A set-screw on the blades, 
traveling at 1,200 revolutions per min- 
ute, caught the seat of Carl's pants, 
ripped them off and sucked them into 
the blower. 

Unhurt, Parsons sent a passerby after 
another pair of pants! 

131 Independents 
Signed for Drive 

Omaha — A total of 131 independent ex- 
hibitors in the Omaha district signed 
pledges in the Motion Pictures’ Greatest 
Year campaign, according to final reports 
compiled by D. V. McLucas, Omaha cam- 
paign headquarters manager. 

Independents pledged a total of $4,007. 
This figure does not include pledges by the 
45 circuit houses in the Omaha trade area. 
Pledges reported this week include: R. 

R. Bailey, Royal Theatre at Ainsworth, 
Neb.; O. W. Frederickson, Pine, Long Pine, 
Neb.; Harold Schroder, Lake View, Lake 
View, la.; L. A. Bramson, State, Elk Point, 

S. D. 


Minneapolis Awaits 
Aggressive Ad Campaign 

Minneapolis — Theatre interests in this 
territory are awaiting eagerly a more ag- 
gressive advertising campaign to plug the 
$250,000 movie contest that features the 
“Greatest Year” drive. It’s generally felt 
that such a campaign is necessary to 
stimulate public interest to a higher de- 
gree. 

While most exhibitors feel that the drive 
has accomplished considerable good thus 
far, it’s believed that much more boxoffice 
goodwill accrue from renewed advertising 
efforts. Also, the theatre men say, there 
are indications that interest has started to 
lag in the contest. 

Exhibitors generally have lined up with 
the drive and there has been a commend- 
able degree of cooperation, according to 
W. A. Steffes, chairman for the district. 
Books and advertising accessories have 
been in heavy demand, he reports. 


Opens Bancroft Model 

Bancroft, Neb. — The Model Theatre has 
been opened by Jerry Horacek. 


Spurt Started Two Months 
Ago Due to Extensive 
Quality Films 

Minneapolis — The trade here is much 
encouraged by the fact that business in 
most spots now is running ahead of the 
corresponding period a year ago for the 
first time. The gains are most in evidence 
in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul and 
in other of the larger cities. 

Business started its spurt about two 
months ago. Previous to that, there were 
declines for the most part from the cor- 
responding 1937 periods. 

In Minneapolis, credit for the marked 
improvement is given to the unusually 
large number of quality and boxoffice pic- 
tures that have been released this fall; 
the desire of the public for stage enter- 
tainment and its willingness and ability 
to pay for it; increased employment and 
generally better business conditions, in the 
opinion of John J. Friedl, general manager 
of the Minnesota Amusement Co. 

The development has led Friedl to re- 
open Minnesota Amusement Co. theatres 
here that have been closed. Two neigh- 
borhood houses, dark throughout the sum- 
mer, have been relighted in recent weeks. 
The Granada was the first and now the 
American is in operation again. 

Friedl is of the opinion that business 
will continue at a high level if the present 
high quality of film releases is maintained. 


Eight More Independents 
Sign Up ior MPGY Drive 

Kansas City — Eight more independent 
exhibitors in the Kansas City area signed 
during the past week for the Motion Pic- 
tures’ Greatest Year campaign, according 
to Clarence Schultz of Commonwealth 
Amusement Corp., committeeman for 
MPGY in this area. 

Additional exhibitors are: 

C. W. Shattuck, Midway, Protection, 
Kas.; C. A. Botkin, Harper, Harper, Kas.; 
M. D. Buxton, Garden, McCracken, Kas.; 

D. E. Burnett, State, Larned, Kas.; Harry 

E. Newton, Turon, Turon, Kas.; C. E. Cook, 
Tivoli, Marysville, Kas.; M. B. Baker, Ritz, 
Ashland, Kas.; C. Brooks, Ritz, Marsh- 
field, Mo. 


Bakers Buy Shaler 

Kansas City — George Baker and his 
father, A. F. “Peck” Baker, have taken 
over the Shafer Theatre at Edgerton, Mo., 
from Abe Shafer III, effective October 1. 
Don Martin, who managed the Rustic, 
West Yellowstone, Mont., the last two 
tourist seasons, will manage the house at 
Edgerton. 


Only Three Women to 
See Clark Gable 

Des Moines — Clark Gable was in 
Des Moines last week and as nearly 
as can be determined, only three local 
women were on hand to worship. 

The three young ladies saw Mr. 
Gable at 1 p. m., when the Rocket, on 
which he was riding, paused here en 
route to Minneapolis. They knew ahead 
of time that he would be on board. 

650 at Opening of 
Des Moines House 

Des Moines — A capacity crowd of 650 
saw the ceremony marking the opening of 
the new Hiland Theatre here. 

Highlight of the program was presenta- 
tion of a large “key” to the theatre to 
Highland Park community leaders by A. 
G. Stolte, district manager for the Tri- 
States Theatres Corp. 

A film showing various stages in the 
construction of the new theatre was part 
of the screen program. “Three Blind 
Mice” was the picture. Flowers from local 
business firms and clubs banked the lobby. 

Scores of patrons were waiting at the 
boxoffice an hour before the theatre’s 
opening program was scheduled to begin. 
Features of the building drawing special 
attention include its modernistic design, 
indirect lighting, mirrored ceilings, cush- 
ioned seats, modern sound equipment, and 
air-conditioning and heating units built 
into the tower rather than under the 
theatre. 

Placing Maurice Crew, former manager 
of the Uptown, as manager of the new 
Hiland necessitated two other changes in 
Tri-States’ management. Robert Leonard, 
former manager of the Garden Theatre, 
will take over the Uptown; Henry Plude, 
manager of the old Hiland, will now man- 
age the Garden. 


Fite Bros, Annex Harris 
House , Making Total of 5 

Kansas City — W. D. Fite is taking over 
the Delharco Theatre, Concordia, Kas., 
from Delmar Harris, effective October 5. 
Fite is renaming the house the Strand. 
Harris has other business interests in 
Concordia. 

This gives Fite five theatres: The Kan- 
sas, Kansas City, Kas.; Deray, Joplin, Mo.; 
Royal, Salina, Kas., and Eris, operated in 
partnership with his brother, R. F. Fite at 
Eldorado, Kas. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 MW 


53 


Cl m A HI A 


Profitable Season Ahead for Omaha 
Theatres Despite Stiff Competition 


Omaha — Despite interference fi'om vari- 
ous angles, exhibitors in the Omaha area 
report boxoffice figures now generally in 
the black with indications pointing to a 
profitable fall and winter season. 

Crop conditions have been dishearten- 
ing in various sections of Nebraska and 
western Iowa, while exhibitors in Omaha 
proper are having plenty of competition 
from all sorts of enterprises. Ak-Sar-Ben, 
Nebraska booster organization with most 
of its membership in Omaha, has spon- 
sored several entertainments during the 
past month. 

Roller Skating Draws Many 

Stiffest competition to neighborhood 
exhibitors in Omaha during September 
was a roller derby at Ak-Sar-Ben Coli- 
seum, sponsored by the Ak organization. 
This nightly roller skate show drew an 
average attendance of over 4,000 per night 
for 25 days. 

While general admission at the derby 
was 40 cents, most patrons used a coupon 
in the local newspapers for admissions 
running from 15 to 25 cents, right in the 
suburbans’ class. 

Omaha’s annual food show drew close 
to 25,000 for six days, ending October 1. 
Rudy Vallee and his show, in a one-night 
stand at Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum, drew over 
5,000 persons at 80 cents per person. 

With softball about on the wane, Joe 
Louis and his Brown Bombers played an 
exhibition game here this week to several 
thousand patrons. 

From outstate Nebraska and western 
Iowa come reports that business is “spot- 
ted,” depending largely on crop situations 
in nearby farm communities. The com 
crop in this area, backbone of the farm 
industry, will be about 50 per cent of 
normal and just about half what was pre- 
dicted two months ago. 

Softball and Free Shows 

Softball and free shows, two major 
headaches for small town exhibitors this 
summer, have given way to night football 
and other winter sports. Several 16 mm 
“free” circuits are expected to spring up 
in the Omaha area this winter, according 
to advance information. 

A Chicago firm already is advertising in 
Omaha nwespapers for men to operate 
“free” circuits during the next six months. 
According to reports, promoters will lease 
equipment, rent cheap film and proceed 
on the same basis as promoters of free 
shows did this summer in over 100 com- 
munities in Nebraska and western Iowa. 

The entire situation is favorable, de- 
spite these exhibitor problems, however, 
since the Motion Pictures’ Greatest Year 
campaign is scheduled to boost boxoffice 
takes and exceptional product, quoting 
one exhibitor, “is bound to bring in the 
customers regardless of general business 
conditions.” 


Apparently Inured 
To Horror 

Des Moines — Bookings in seven Iowa 
cities, including Des Moines, of the 
"nightmare duo" of "Dracula" and 
"Frankenstein" are reported by the 
Universal exchange here. Theatremen 
in Marshalltown, Cedar Rapids, Mt. 
Pleasant, Ft. Madison, Osceola, and 
Casey have also booked the "horror" 
combination for early showing. 

In Kansas City, the reissues, playing 
together, are thriving at the Uptown, a 
Fox link. 

Minneapolis Feels 
A Faith in Future 

Minneapolis — The red-hot scrap at St. 
Louis Park, Minneapolis suburb, for a the- 
atre permit is believed in local trade cir- 
cles to reflect the optimism with which 
interests view the near-term outlook for 
the show business hereabouts. 

Although it has a population of 5,000. 
St. Louis Park never has had a theatre of 
its own. Now there are four different in- 
dividuals or groups anxious to build show- 
houses there. 

Those who apparently have the upper 
edge in the fight thus far are Harold Field, 
owner of a large circuit of Iowa theatres 
and who resides in the Twin Cities, and 
Ben Friedman, who has two showhouses at 
another Minneapolis suburb and who also 
operates a theatre at Albert Lea, Minn. 

The St. Louis Park city council the past 
week held a hearing on the Field applica- 
tion. It deferred action, pending a hear- 
ing next week on the Friedman permit. 

Strangely enough, the same architect 
drew plans for both the Field and Fried- 
man proposed theatres. If Field obtains 
the license, he will make a gift of con- 
siderable property to the city for a recrea- 
tion center. 

Charlie Winchell, associated with the 
Minnesota Amusement Co., had obtained 
a permit for a theatre, but allowed it to 
lapse. Stanley Cohen, owner of the Up- 
town Theatre, Minneapolis, leased by the 
Minnesota Amusement Co., also is en- 
deavoring to obtain a license. 


Seeks Radio Permit 

Minneapolis — W. A. Steffes, president 
of Northwest Allied States and indepen- 
dent exhibitor, is en route to Washington 
to wage a fight to obtain a permit for a 
Twin City radio station which he hopes 
to establish. Before returning, he will stop 
over briefly in New York on picture deals 
for his World Theatre here. 


ROY PALMQUIST had a birthday last 
week . . . Carl Reese, 20th-Fox sales- 
man, has recovered enough from a broken 
arm to go back on the road . . . Lou Kozal, 
Tri-States ad artist, and Eddie Forester, 
Omaha manager, and their families went 
to Hastings . . . The Hastings boys, Orville 
Rennie, city manager, and Jimmie Pickett, 
Strand manager, reciprocated by coming 
to Omaha. 

Hymie Novitsky, former Republic ex- 
change manager and co-franchise holder, 
will go with Grand National but he hasn’t 
been assigned a post as yet . . . Bill Ruth- 
hart, M-G-M booker, is vacationing in 
Chicago, his home town. 

Omaha’s the entertainment center de 
luxe this week with Horace Heidt on the 
Orpheum stage, Rudy Vallee and his band 
at Ak-Sar-Ben one night, Irene Rich here 
two days to open a food show and Carl 
“Deacon” Moore playing the show all week. 

Don McLucas had a late screening of 
“Drums” the other night and afterwards 
the crowd, including the writer, went to 
the airport to see Sabu, the picture’s star, 
who stopped here for a few minutes en 
route to Hollywood . . . Everybody was 
impressed with both the picture and Sabu 
. . . Sabu was awake ( it was midnight), 
but his bodyguards were asleep! 

A. P. Sorenson, Barrymore Theatre, Al- 
cester, S. D„ was on Filmrow showing off 
his new bride . . . Danny McCarthy, UA 
salesman, also a benedict . . . Harris Kunt- 
zelman, former booker at Film Transport, 
is the new assistant shipper at 20th-Fox. 

John Wangberg, RKO office manager at 
Kansas City, was here on his way home 
from a vacation . . . Mr. and Mrs. Henry 
Hower of Worthington, Minn., were in 
town. Hower is taking it easy under doc- 
tor’s orders. 

Jack Rachman, film critic and news- 
paperman well known to the industry, is 
now doing a chatter column for the Oma- 
ha World-Herald . . . George Siders was 
declared winner of the Omaha Theatre 
ping pong tourney. He edged out Box- 
office in a special challenge match. 

Ted Emerson compiled 14 complete cam- 
paigns of tear sheets, publicity and pictures 
on “Boys Town.” They went all over the 
country ... A couple of bouquets for the 
handling of the “Boys Town” premiere to 
Evert Cummings, Bill Miskell, Eddie For- 
ester and Emerson. 

A very rare visitor to Filmrow was Roy 
Reichard, Orpheum Theatre, Mapleton, 
la. . . . Also on the Row were P. E. Haeker, 
Parrot Theatre, Alma, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. 
C. C. Goodrich, Rialto, Stromsburg, Neb.; 
Joe Steeg, Time, Primghar, la.; E. H. 
Robertson, Schribner, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. 
Bob Pennington, Rialto, Villisca, la.; Mr. 
and Mrs. A. W. Lathrop and daughter, 
Iowa, Manilla, la. 

Attending the Minnesota game were Ike 
Rubin, Frank Hannon, B. A. Tomte, Earle 
Perkins, Ralph Olson, Bill Foley, Fay 
Dressell, Al Hill, Walt Green, Elmer 
Huhnke, Roy Palmquist and Glenn Rogers. 


54 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


mm mmrnm 

piLMROW talkie of the week: D. C. 

Kennedy of M-G-M and H. P. Wolfberg, 
district manager, gloating verbosely over 
continued success of “Boys Town.” 

He should have called it “Two Loves 
Has A. G. Stolte.” The Tri-States district 
manager has two hobbies, fishing and film- 
ing, always struggling for dominance. His 
great ambition is to land a huge muskie, 
and this summer he triumphantly re- 
turned from Canada with a swell movie 
of his fishing companions pulling ’em in! 

John Russell, five, child film star, romp- 
ed all over 20th Century-Fox office here 
Monday to the staff’s delight . . . Stan- 
ley J. Mayer, manager, ordered a Jano 
Withers picture shown in the screen room 
at Johnny’s request. Johnny is on his way 
to Hollywood from the “Jesse James” set 
in Missouri. He plays the part of the 
bandit as a child. 

E. W. Kerr of Council Bluffs visited 
here last week . . . P. T. Dana, Universal 
district manager at Kansas City, and Jerry 
Standau, local branch manager, got their 
heads together Monday and Tuesday. 

An item in the Des Moines Tribune in- 
formed all Iowa this week how Carl Par- 
sons, theatre owner at Keota, lost his 
trousers in the air-conditioning fan . . . 
Paul Fine at RKO wasn’t hurt when a 
blow-out made his car jump the curb . . . 
Ollie Reese and Thelma Washburn have 
the season’s first sniffles . . . Office force 
is pop-eyed with expectation of Xmas 
bonuses in RKO’s liquidation contest . . . 
Filmrow gossip has it that Emil Franke, 
Orpheum manager, and his brother-in- 
law, Morgan Ames, picked winners at the 
race track in Chi on Emil’s vacation. 

L. C. “Chick” Fredman, national Screen, 
brought some new material on accessory 
business back from the regional meeting 
in Denver . . . Frankie Ruble, vice-presi- 
dent of the Pioneer Circuit, was called to 
Minneapolis on business last week. Could 
he help it if they were playing the Minne- 
sota-W asliington game there at the time? 

Mel Evidon, Columbia branch manager, 
spent the weekend in Chicago . . . Alice 
Hill went to California . . . Mildred Coburn 
took her place . . . Lester Martin, former 
Allied leader, was here last week . . . Avis 
June Heki left National Screen for Cali- 
fornia . . . Frank Greenland, office man- 
ager, is just back from Sturgeon Bay, Wis. 

. . . Lou Levy fishes for crappies while 
waiting for announcement of Grand Na- 
tional’s new merger. 

Lou Elman of RKO has a new farm and 
a new daughter, so he spends all his time 
looking at tractors and baby buggies . . . 
Elmer Tilton, Republic manager, is in New 
York . . . Lee Henry of Stuart was a Film- 
row visitor. 

Behind scenes at the Hiland opening: 
A. G. Stolte, Tri-States’ district manager, 
and Ken Clayton, Register and Tribune 
amusements editor, standing on roof . . . 
Stolte, in reminiscent mood, pointing out 
apartment down the street which was his 
first Des Moines home 19 years ago. 


Kaycee Scouts Welcome Sabu 



Kansas City — Lynn Farnol, advertising 
manager for United Artists, and Morris 
Helprin, personal representative of Alex- 
ander Korda in this country, brought Sabu, 
young Indian actor and star of “Elephant 
Boy” and “Drums” to town Sunday morn- 
ing by plane. 

Sabu, who was accompanied by two 
Sikh guards, liked the police sirens best 


of all, and after a ride on a police motor- 
cycle, wanted to take it, policeman and 
all, to New York with him. 

John McManus, manager of Loew’s Mid- 
land, and W. P. Bernfield, UA exploiteer, 
arranged a reception of boy scouts, news- 
paper men and others, for the party. 

Boy Scouts are shown above welcoming 
the youthful actor on his arrival. 


White Pleased With 
A Paramount Honor 


Minneapolis Area 
Hit by War Scare 


Emporia, Kas. — William Allen White, at- 
tending a special showing at the Granada 
Theatre here of Paramount’s “The Arkan- 
sas Traveler,” dedicated to the life of the 
widely-known country editor, called the 
film, starring Bob Burns, “the first news- 
paper picture I’ve ever seen that isn’t 
either tough or hick” and one with 
“veracity in dialogue, clothes and action.” 

The film was brought here for the 
screening by George M. Arthur, producer, 
who explained that the story, while in no 
sense biographic, was inspired by White 
“who is recognized as reflecting the tra- 
ditional virtues of small -town American 
life.” 

Emerging from the Granada accom- 
panied by his wife following the screening, 
White commented, “There were no hard- 
boiled reporters punishing desks and tele- 
phones and no drunks. Small town folks 
were shown as unaffected, but not hicks 
and hayseeds. I was surprised and 
pleased. It’s an honor to have my name 
connected with a story of that sort.” 


Another Chain Airs 

Lincoln — General Manager Howard 
Federer, for the Nebraska Theatres, Inc., 
has signed for a nightly broadcast via 
KFOR, featuring Mrs. Ed Cuniff at the 
organ. This puts both theatre circuits 
here on the radio, the Lincoln Theatres 
recently renewing Barney Oldfield’s chat- 
ter. 


Minneapolis — The European war scare 
is having its repercussions in local the- 
atres and showhouses throughout the ter- 
ritory, a survey shows. 

A drop in business the past week is at- 
tributed by theatre interests in part to war 
developments. The situation is keeping 
many people, who otherwise might attend 
the showhouses, glued to their radios at 
home to learn the latest happenings, the- 
atre owners declare. 

Hitler in one newsreel and mention of 
him in another were hissed and hooted 
by audiences at loop theatres, house man- 
agers report. 

W. A. Steffes, in his newspaper ads for 
“Charm of La Boheme” at the World The- 
atre, stated: “Made in Vienna — Before 
Hitler.” The reason, it was explained, is 
because of increasing anti-German feeling. 



30 TO 50% MORE LIGHT 


‘DUO LIGHT-MASTER' 

Super Low Intensity 
Projection Lamp 
14-Inch Reflector 

More light at no in- 
crease in operating cost 
— Clearer and sharper 
black and white pic- 
tures — Truer and bet- 
ter quality color pic- 
ture projection. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


55 


Commonwealth Circuit Managers 
Talk Business Drive at Meeting 


Kansas City — Managers and executives 
of the Commonwealth Amusement Corp., 
representing over 40 theatres in Missouri, 
Kansas, Arkansas and Iowa, met at Osage 
Beach, Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., Septem- 
ber 21 and 22 to discuss the new fall cam- 
paign for business, advertising, and pro- 
motional ideas. 

The fall campaign will take the form of 
a^'football game between two teams, one 
1 leaded by Robert Shelton, Warrensburg, 
Mo., winner of the summer King of the 
Sun contest, and the other by M. B. 
Smith, Garden City, Kas., runner-up in 
the summer campaign. Shelton selected 
as his quarterback, Rex Barrett, Colum- 
bia, Mo., and Smith picked Stanley 
Schwan, Lawrence, Kas. The captains and 
quarterbacks then selected two very even- 
ly matched teams: Shelton’s Fighting 
Inch, and Smith’s Redskins. Selection of 
the teams the first day of the Common- 
wealth convention immediately estab- 
lished a strong spirit of competition among 
managers, and the members of each team 
began at once to work out ideas. 

Top Prizes $25 to $100 

An all-Commonwealth team will be se- 
lected at the end of the contest from both 
teams, and the seven best men on this 
aggregation will get prizes ranging from 
$25 to $100. In addition there will be 
prizes for special accomplishments, and 
a special prize for the best man on each 
team. 

The contest began September 25, ends 
December 31. The Fighting Irish have 
arranged with the Redskins that the los- 
ing managers push winning managers 
through Filmrow on rubber-tired wheel- 


barrows at the end of the contest. This 
notion developed spontaneously among 
managers themselves, who also thought of 
having the barrows rubber tired so that 
the ride for the riders won’t be so rough. 
The new Commonwealth-Republic build- 
ing at 211 West 18th St., will be completed 
by the time the contest is over, and the 
“ride” will take place at the meeting of 
managers which will be held in the new 
offices in January. 

Pledge MPGY Support 

Commonwealth managers went very 
thoroughly into the Motion Pictures’ 
Greatest Year campaign, and all pledged 
full cooperation. In connection with 
MPGY and with the circuit’s own contest, 
Commonwealth has increased its adver- 
tising budget materially, Clarence Schultz, 
executive head of the group, commented. 

The annual feature of all Common- 
wealth meetings, an exchange of boxoffice 
ideas, developed 32 different promotions 
last week. 

Captains of the two football teams will 
be provided with a secretary by Common- 
wealth to handle correspondence and 
otherwise help Shelton and Smith keep 
in touch with their teammates from their 
own theatres during the period. Each 
team is working out its own promotions. 
Copies of correspondence from captains to 
their men will go through the home office 
of Commonwealth here, but will be held 
confidential until the last four weeks. Dur- 
ing December the best ideas developed by 
each team during the preceding weeks of 
the contest will be exchanged, and each 
team will see whether it can do more with 
the other team’s ideas than it did itself. 


Photo-Pay-Nite Premiere 
At the Emporia Granada 

Emporia, Kas. — Premiere of Photo-Pay- 
Nite in the Kansas City territory was held 
at the Fox Granada (Ray McLain) here 
September 21 to a full house. Approxi- 
mately 1,000 passed through the “aisle of 
fortune” during the evening. Business 
showed a substantial increase, according 
to McLain. 

When the pictures were returned from 
Kansas City (Norris B. Cresswell Photo 
Service) for showing, Granada employes 
discovered that one of them was that of 
J. A. McClure, father of Harry McClure, 
district manager for Fox Midwest. An- 
other picture was substituted. 

Among those who attended the show- 
ing were R. W. McEwan and Ormand P. 
Hill, Photo-Pay-Nite distributors, Kansas 
City; W. R. Rowell, Fox manager at El- 
dorado, Kas.; Glen W. Dickinson jr., man- 
ager of the Glen W. Dickinson Theatres, 
Inc., in Manhattan, Kas.; K. H. Gaston, 
Florence, Kas.; B. V. Kimber, Dickinson 
manager, Herington, Kas.; E. E. Webber 
sr., and Robert Blond, Colonial, Kansas 
City, and other exhibitors from the sur- 
rounding territory. 

Negotiations are being conducted by Mc- 
Ewan and Hill for installation of Photo- 
Pay-Nite in other Fox houses, as well as 
with Commonwealth Amusement Corp. for 
some of their houses, and with several 
independents in Kansas City, McEwan 
said. 


Kansas City — F. L. “Doc” Lowe will 
start Photo-Pay-Nite in his Star Theatre, 
Hays, Kas., October 12, and is planning to 
install the equipment in other of his 
houses soon. 


" Toy Gun " Bandits Get 
$215 in Omaha Holdup 

Omaha — E. A. Harms, theatre supply 
salesman, and Dale R. Goldie, Cherokee, 
la., exhibitor, lost a total of $215 to rob- 
bers who used a “toy gun.” The two were 
seated in Harm’s car on Filmrow just after 
the Variety Club party. 

The stickup men ordered Gus to drive 
to a sideroad, took $15 from Harms and 
$200 from Goldie. Then the victims were 
ordered from the car. 

Later another victim turned on the rob- 
bers and beat them off with his crutches 
when he saw they had a toy gun. They 
dropped $2 belonging to Goldie but the 
rest was not recovered. 


New Republic Deals 

Minneapolis — Gilbert Nathanson, Re- 
public branch manager, announces that 
he has closed first-run deals for his 1938- 
39 product with the Granada, Duluth, and 
Beacon, Superior. 


Amoses Take Over Roanoke 

Kansas City — Mr. and Mrs. Frank Amos 
are operating the Roanoke, suburban 
house here. They have the theatre leased 
from E. S. Young of the Central. 


Commonwealth Opens Wareham 



— Photo by Cresswell 


A portion of the crowd from Kansas City on the train en route to Manhattan, 
Kas., for the opening of the Commonwealth Circuit’s Wareham Theatre un- 
der the management of Harry Wareham. 


56 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 



K A Y C IE IE 


Bank Night's Case Is Taken Under 
Advisement bg Missouri High Court 


jyjARTIN FTNKELSTEIN, former Fox 
Midwest district manager, now Holly- 
wood producer and distributor, was on 
Filmrow early this week. 

Russ Borg, branch manager of Grand 
National, left Friday for a general sales 
meeting of Grand National executives in 
Chicago, Saturday, October 1. 

Credit the Elms Hotel, Excelsior Springs, 
Mo., with the bright line of the week. 
Currently the hotel’s 24 sheets in Kansas 
City read: Come to the Elms for “the rest 
of your life.” 

Rube Melcher was on Filmrow this week 
to report that he is still among those pres- 
ent, and still is pushing the sales of Pop- 
matic, automatic popcorn machine. 

Mrs. R. W. McEwan, wife of the Photo- 
Pay-Nite distributor, was rushed to Re- 
search Hospital last weekend for observa- 
tion. She went home this week with a 
very good report card from the doctors. 

The RKO Orpheum, downtown first run 
under Bob Haley, tried the “sneak pre- 
view” idea Tuesday night. 

Filmrow visitors: 

Tom Edwards, Eldon, Mo., who broke 
his hose connection on the way in; Art 
Pugh, Fredonia, Kas.; Ensley Barbour, 
Springfield, Mo. ; Larry Larsen, Webb City, 
Mo.; Dale Danielson, Russell, Kas.; Virgil 
Harbison, Tarkio, Mo.; Harry Blake, Or- 
pheum and Electric, Joplin, Mo.; John 
Tarr jr„ Best, Independence, Kas.; Ralph 
Menefee, Hoxie, Kas.; Mr. and Mrs. J. N. 
Welty, Hill City, Kas.; M. B. Pressley, 
Savannah, Mo. 

Curbstone kibitzers on Filmrow can 
thank Commonwealth- Republic for amuse- 
ment during their leisure hours. The ki- 
bitzers are helping to build the new Com- 
monwealth-Republic building at 211 West 
18 th St. 

The Metro “Marionette Movies” truck 
touring the country has 4-star Simplex 
sound equipment, notes Francis Keilhack 
of National Theatre Supply. 

Commonwealth Amusement Corp. houses 
in Carrollton, Monett, Harrisonville, and 
Kansas City, Mo. (the Ashland) , are using 
Metro Premium’s “Sunburst” tableware 
premiums. Stanley Goldberg is local man- 
ager for Metro. 

Bill Kubitzki, son of Gus, and himself 
widely known on Filmrow, returned to 
Kansas City this week after six months in 
Texas . . . Bill Weintraub of Majestic is 
in California on vacation . . . Virgil Green 
of LaPlata, Mo., was an early-in-the-week 
Filmrow visitor, along with F. L. “Doc” 
Lowe of Sterling, Kas. Others on the Row 
were Glen Newbold, Yates Center, Kan.; 
F. O. Litsch, Hopkins, Mo.; E. I. Lewellyn, 
Rosendale, Mo. 

The new Dickinson Theatre which Glen 
W. Dickinson Theatres are building in 
Mission Hills Acres near Kansas City will 
be opened October 20. Like the new Carl- 
ton in Manhattan, Kas., the house is of re- 
inforced concrete. It will seat 800, cost 
$53,000. There will be a “Dickinson” in 
(Continued on page 20) 


Derive Pleasure , Income 
From A. H. Blank Gift 

Des Moines — A projection machine se- 
cured sometime ago through the coopera- 
tion of A. H. Blank of Tri-States, has been 
the source of much enjoyment to people 
at the Roadside Settlement, a welfare or- 
ganization in southeast Des Moines. 

Motion pictures are shown twice weekly, 
one evening being for Negroes exclusive- 
ly. Anyone paying the 50 cents yearly 
membership fee is entitled to attend. The 
films are donated by Grand National 
Fox, M-G-M, Republic, Vitagraph, Colum- 
bia, Universal, Paramount, and RKO. 

The organization also secures some in- 
come by renting the projector to the 
Southside and Jewish community centers 
in Des Moines twice each week. 


A. A. Electric Machinery Co. 

Ernest Amoneno, Mgr. 

1117 Cherry St. Phone: Victor 8796 

Central Theatre Equipment Company 

— Western Electric-Motiograph Mirrophonic 
Sound — 

130 West 18th St. Kansas City, Mo. 

Phone — HArrison 3345 

Great Western Stage Equipment Co. 

817 Holmes St. T. L. Greening, Mgr. 

Phone: Victor 9078 

Stebbins Theatre Equipment Co. 

1804 Wyandotte St. 

C. H. Badger, Mgr. Phone: GRand 0134 

Southwest Theatre Equipment Co., Inc. 

309 West Douglas Ave. Wichita, Kas. 

C. D. Peck, Mgr. Phone 2-2153 

AIR CONDITIONING 

National Air Conditioning and 
Engineering Corp. 

VI. 3535 

109 W. 18th St. — Kansas City, Mo. 
Manufacturing — Engineering — Installation 

SOUND SERVICE 

K. C. SOUND SERVICE 

Syncrofilm Sound Equipment and Service 
W.L. 126 W. 18th St. W.P. 

Norris HA 4783 Humston 


Kansas City — The Missouri supreme 
court, en banc, has taken under advise- 
ment the Bank Night case of Missouri vs. 
R. W. McEwan, Bank Night distributor. 
The suit was orally argued before the 
whole court by Charles M. Miller, Mc- 
Ewan’s attorney, after Division 2 had 
handed down an opinion some months 
ago that the giveaway constitutes a lot- 
tery. 

Mr. Miller made the point that Bank 
Night is advertising, and that the Missouri 
statute governing lotteries prohibits “the 
sale of tickets” in connection with a 
lottery. 


Move Picnic Indoors 

Des Moines — Film Transportation picnic 
was frozen out of the water works’ park 
last week and into Bill Morgan’s house. 


ENGINEER C. R. BUTLER 

Sound System Installation and Service 

Midwest Service Corporation 
2606 Monterey St. 

St. Joseph, Mo. 

Phones 2-4012—2-4115 
"Service As Near As Your Telephone” 

SCREEN PUBLICITY 

Alexander Film Company 

Motion Picture Advertising 
E. L. Harris, Dist. Mgr., Mo., Kan., Neb., Iowa 
239 East 72nd Terrace 

Phone: HUand 2694 


TICKET REGISTER SERVICE 

Gold Seal — Simplex Model "H” 

Factory Mechanics — Genuine Parts Used 
Loaner Service Machines Supplied 

GENERAL REGISTER CORPORATION 

1018 South Wabash Avenue — Chicago 

EXHIBITOR ASSOCIATIONS ~ 

Independent Theatre Owners Association 

1214 Brush Creek Road — VAlentine 2770 
E. E. Webber jr., Pres. John Wolfberg, Sec. 

K. M. T. A. 

128 W. 18th St. — Harrison 4825 
John Staple, Pres. R. R. Biechele, Sec.-Treas. 


TRADE DIRECTORY 

— A HANDY GUIDE FOR THE EXHIBITOR — 

KANSAS CITY TERRITORY 


EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 


SOUND ENGINEER 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


57 


Record Kagcee Aggregation Set 
For Variety Club's First Golf Fete 


Kansas City — The biggest aggregation 
of golf and card enthusiasts in the history 
of Filmrow will go to Old Mission, Mon- 
day, October 3, for an exercise of their 
skills when Variety Club’s first annual 
golf tourney (and relaxation competition) 
gets under way at noon. 

The number of golfers will be exceeded 
only by the number of prizes. The golf 
committee, composed of Frank Ritter, 
George Baker, Tom Baldwin, Finton Jones, 
E. E. Webber jr„ and Charley Shafer, has 
promoted more prizes than a dub has 
score. Boxoffice has contributed a hand- 
some trophy, which, with the winner’s 
name each year, will be on permanent dis- 
play at Variety Club rooms. Robert F. 
Withers of Republic-Midwest has given a 
runner-up prize trophy, very beautiful, and 
there are a number of other prizes, which 
are given below. 

Jules Levy and Tommy Thompson of 
RKO Radio, an all leather golf bag; 
George Schaefer and Bill Truog of United 
Artists, a fine golf bag; Harris Wolfberg 
and Frank Hensler of Metro, duffle bag; 
R. C. LiBeau and Joe Manfre, a de luxe, 
illuminated shaving mirror; Peter Dana 
of Universal, golf bag; Russ Borg, Grand 
National, golf stick; E. F. Burgan, Kansas 
City, Kas., exhibitor, gabardine sport 
shirt; Reube Finkelstein, a Feld Chevro- 
let defroster fan; Ed Rol^ky of the St. 
John and National, a set of hood covers 
for woods; Eddie Mansfield, Regent, a set 
of hood covers; Dr. Van C. Medcalf, three 
Hol-Hi golf balls; Jack Shriner, Gem The- 
atre, golf putter; Louis Kopulos Sutter, 

Record Number of 
Stage Bands Set 

Minneapolis — The Minnesota Amuse- 
ment Co. is booking a record number of 
big name stage bands into the Orpheum 
here as a result of the tremendous busi- 
ness done recently by those that have been 
playing the house. 

Benny Goodman, currently, is shatter- 
ing the house record broken a few weeks 
back by Horace Heidt. Previously, Rudy 
Vallee, in five days, had done the biggest 
business for any similar period in the the- 
atre’s history. 

The voracious public appetite for this 
sort of flesh-and-blood fare has John J. 
Friedl and Mort H. Singer, who control 
the local loop theatres, using herculean 
efforts to line up all the best available. 
They’ve been successful, too. 

Present underlines are Jimmy Dorsey, 
together with the Andrew Sisters, Minne- 
apolis radio stars, the week of October 14; 
Glen Gray and his Casa Loma band, 
November 4, and Hal Kemp and his or- 
chestra November 18. 

The Gayety (Harry Hirsch’s stock bur- 


Castle Theatre, half dozen golf balls; Ed- 
die Green, Metro, three golf balls; Bev 
Miller, a universal dictionary; Cresswell 
Photo Service, eight $5 portraits; Homer 
Blackwell, Independent Poster Exchange, 
necktie; the golf committee, a dozen golf 
balls; National Theatre Supply, electric 
waffle griddle; Screenland, two auto- 
matic cocktail shakers for lazy drinkers; 
Fox Midwest Theatres, Inc., RCA Victor 
radio; Jack Gregory, pint of stuff, and 
Altec (again Jack Gregory), Silex coffee 
maker; Frank Hensler, quart of stuff and 
three golf balls extra for some reason or 
other; George Fuller of 20th-Fox, a quart 
of stuff; Ward Scott, 20th-Fox, a quart 
of stuff; Stan Goldberg, Metro Premiums, 
Festival ware ; Roy Miller of Universal, a 
“Deanna Durbin” golf umbrella; Don 
Davis, quart of stuff; Stebbins Theatre 
Equipment Co., quart of stuff; Schooley’s 
Stationery, Sheaf fer pen; Les Durland, 
Monogram, oil silk golf raincoat; Ben 
Marcus, Columbia, Byrd cloth golf jacket; 
Nat Hechtman, Hollywood Advertising, 
cash; Cowie Electric, defroster fan; Com- 
monwealth Amusement Corp., $10 worth of 
golf merchandise; E. C. Leeves, Central 
Theatre Equipment, half dozen golf balls; 
Leo Finkelstein, Keystone Press, merchan- 
dise, and a three months’ pass from each 
of the following theatres; 

John McManus, Loew’s Midland; R. J. 
Haley, Orpheum; Stanley Chambers, 
Tower; Jerry Zigmond, Newman, and 
Jimmy Long, Plaza. 

Film Delivery is announcing its prize at 
the tournament. There are other prizes. 


lesque) also continues to do record busi- 
ness. Huge crowds also have been attend- 
ing the opening Minnesota football games. 
At $2.75 per ticket, the Washington con- 
test drew 50,000 and the Nebraska clash 
today will pull 53,000 or more. 

Manager Leo Murray’s legit roadshow 
season at the Lyceum gets under way 
October 6 with ‘‘Pins and Needles.” Other 
definite bookings include Fontanne & 
Lunt, Ed Wynn, “Shadow and Substance,” 
“Golden Boy,” “Susan and God,” Fred 
Stone in “Lightnin’,” Ethel Barrymore and 
a return engagement of “You Can’t Take 
It With You.” 

The present popularity of stage shows 
has amazed local theatre interests. A 
few months ago even such attractions as 
Eddie Duchin, who drew sensational trade 
on his first visit to Minneapolis, couldn’t 
even attract profitable trade to the Or- 
pheum. It is believed that generally im- 
proved economic conditions are a factor 
in the current sharp upturn. 


Lumsden Buys House 

Des Moines — Ray J. Lumsden is redec- 
orating and improving his newly acquired 
Pastime Theatre at Iowa City. Some 
20 years ago Lumsden worked in the very 
same theatre first as an usher and then 
as projectionist. 


IL I ICO IL N 

^AST minute switch found Howard 
Federer throwing in “Four Daughters” 
for the opening of the Varsity under new 
steam, Thursday evening. Was previously 
committed for “You Can’t Take It With 
You” . . . Cool nights have forced most of 
the “busy” execs off the curbstones and 
into the poolrooms again. Bob Livingston 
says with business in the present state, 
nobody could give the country back to the 
Indians without giving them the advantage 
of a ten per cent cancellation clause. 

George F. Monroe is watching develop- 
ments in Ft. Collins, Colo., where he may 
open a theatre soon, to operate on the 
same action and low-price policy as is 
practiced by his father, George O. Monroe, 
here in the Colonial. 

T. B. Noble jr. bounced in from New 
York to help pick out the paint for the 
interior of the Varsity . . . Everybody calls 
Alvin Hendricks, “Miss Hendricks” now 
that he’s moved from hotel to apartment 
and is trying to cook . . . Harold Hellerich 
is still the town’s pony express manager, 
watching the Liberty and the Orpheum. 

Louis J. Finske in from Denver again, 
talked business with Bob Huffman . . . 
Expectancy on J. H. Cooper is now around 
November 1 . . . With the legislature com- 
ing up, belief is that the theatre business 
will have some anxious moments consider- 
ing tone of some of the comments from 
prospective laivmakers. 

Governor Cochran is using screen ads for 
the fall campaign . . . Chick Boyes Players 
will pull stakes on their tent and head 
out of town soon . . . Harvey Traylor is 
reported to have written John Cherry for 
his recipe in resigning a job, getting mar- 
ried and living happily ever after. 

Proof that you guys are in the wrong 
business: Coach Roy “Link” Lyman, as- 
sistant to Nebraska’s Biff Jones, was signed 
for 18 broadcasts via WOW and KFOR to 
talk football. Is being paid $2,400 for it. 
That’s probably the highest priced hookup 
on record. 

The Verdigree Empress 
Purchased by Marshall 

Verdigree, Neb. — L. D. Marshall has pur- 
chased the Empress Theatre from Anton 
Jociminek and has redecorated the 200- 
seat house, installing all new equipment. 
The theatre was reopened September 25. 

Installation of Duo Soundmaster sound 
and projection and Duo Lightmaster was 
handled by Scott-Ballantyne Co. of Omaha. 


"Dead March" Revived 

Kansas City — The threat of war in Eu- 
rope and the wide public interest in cur- 
rent European news by Americans has re- 
vived a keen interest on the part of ex- 
hibitors in the Bud Pollard production, 
“The Dead March,” which features Boake 
Carter. The picture is distributed in the 
Kansas City area by Homer Blackwell’s 
Independent Film Exchange. 


58 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 



Humston Buys Out 
Norris in American 

Kansas City — W. L. Norris, who has 
been actively identified with the manage- 
ment and ownership of independent film 
exchanges on Filmrow here the last five 
or six years, has sold his interest in 
American Films, Inc., to Paul Humston, his 
partner during the period he has been in 
the film business. 

“I’ve enjoyed my experience on Filmrow 
and in the territory very much,” Norris 
commented, “and appreciate the friend- 
ships and favors of those with whom I 
have dealt in the industry during the past 
few years.” 

Norris, who was first with Consolidated, 
then Monogram, and finally American, 
hasn’t any definite plans for the imme- 
diate future. 

Beverly Miller Opens New 
Office for Book Treasures 

Kansas City — Beverly Miller, familiar 
figure on Filmrow, has opened new of- 
fices at 111 West 18th St., for the distribu- 
tion of the Book Treasures premiums in 
western Missouri and Kansas. 

The premiums are issued by the Con- 
solidated Publishing Co. (Cuneo Press), 
Chicago, and consist of three groups of 
books in attractive bindings. The first 
group contains popular but enduring 
books such as Vanity Fair, Robinson Cru- 
soe, etc.; the second, encyclopedias, and 
the third, the University of Knowledge 
series edited by Glenn Frank. 

Parking Lot Fate of 

Des Moines Majestic 

Des Moines — A tax valuation reduction 
from $84,743 to $19,260 on the old original 
Majestic (alias Orpheum, Garrick, Presi- 
dent) Theatre site in Des Moines this week 
was a sorry finale for the last curtain cal! 
of a show once featuring such headliners 
as Eva Tanguay, Bert Williams, Colonel 
Jack George, Charlie Withers, the Duncan 
Sisters, the Four Martins, Walter Kelley, 
Ian Keith, Mai'jorie Rambeau, and Fred 
Astaire. 

The ground is to be converted into a 
parking lot. 

C. M. White Pleased With 
GB Gain in Minnesota 

Minneapolis — Clinton M. White, GB 
sales manager, here over the weekend, ex- 
pressed himself as pleased with the pro- 
gress that his company is making in this 
territory. For the first time, he pointed 
out, GB has a product commitment with 
the Minnesota Amusement Co., covering 
several pictures and situations. 


Buys Mound City Aladdin 

Mound City, Kas. — Roy Williamson has 
taken over the Aladdin here from Lauck 
& Moody. 


gENNIE BERGER right on football again. 

He backed up his confidence in Minne- 
sota with real coin of the realm at two 
to one odds in the Washington opening 
game and the Gophers, of course, emerged 
victorious. Bennie has planked down 
plenty at even money that Minnesota will 
not lose two games this season. If you 
want to get the low-down on gridiron 
dope, just contact Bennie. In case he 
ever gives up his theatre circuit he has a 
future as a football prognosticator. 

Twin City Variety Club held open house 
following the Minnesota-Washington foot- 
ball game. There was to be open house 
there again after the Minnesota-Nebraska 
clash, Saturday. There’s music and danc- 
ing and a good time for all at these open- 
house events which will continue for the 
rest of the winter. The beautiful new club 
quarters still are evoking admiration. 

George Baker, owner of the Strand 
Theatre, Britton, S. D., has just opened 
a de luxe tourist court at Santa Monica, 
Cal. Tommy Charek, who visited it on a 
recent trip to the west coast, confides it’s 
a honey. George’s son. Bob, is managing 
it and will welcome all his dad’s many 
friends in the trade . . . Lester Coleman, 
Paramount home office booking depart- 
ment representative, a visitor . . . Ted 
Mans, St. Paul independent exhibitor, is 
driving a new car ... A. Selby Carr, head 
of the Paramount advertising department, 
has started work on his new home . . . 
Charles Fogel, M-G-M home office main- 
tenance department representative, in 
town. 

Maury Abrams, M-G-M exploiteer, in 
Eau Claire, Wis., helping to sell “Boys 
Town” to the populace . . . “Snoop,” Para- 
mount publication, going big in this terri- 
tory. About 65 per cent of the exhibitors 
playing Paramount pictures use it, accord- 
ing to A. Selby Carr, Paramount advertis- 
ing department head. 

Out-of-town exhibitors visiting Filmrow 
included Ben Ashe, Fergus Falls, Minn.; 
Tom Hall, Buhl, Minn.; George Wester- 
man, Milaca, Minn.; C. Widmer, Belle 
Plain, Minn.; Jack Heywood, New Rich- 
mond, Wis.; Don Buckley, Redwood Falls, 
Minn,, and L. L. Deveraux, Rockford, N. 
D. . . . United Artists’ stand-out picture, 
“Drums,” is going into the World for an 
extended engagement following “La 
Boheme” . . . M-G-M office brightening 
up with new lighting system. Redecorating 
also in prospect. 

Jack Goldhar, United Artists district 
manager, in town , . . All sorts of rumors 
in the air regarding the future of the 
4,200 -seat Minnesota Theatre. The Minne- 
sota Amusement Co. has it under lease 
until January 31 and will keep it dark the 
entire period until then . . . Park Agnew of 
the M-G-M home office auditing depart- 
ment is here. 

W. H. Workman, M-G-M branch man- 
ager, is preparing to sail for France, but 
if war is declared the trip which he won 
in his company’s sales contest will have 
to be declared off, however . . . Para- 
mount’s “Spawn of the North” hitting a 
boxoffice high in this territory. It packed 


’em in at the Leb, Cloquet, Minn., with 
“Alexander’s Ragtime Band” as opposition. 
Picture set up a near boxoffice record in 
Brainerd, Minn., doing about 33 1/3 more 
business than “Wells Fargo” which also 
was an exceptionally big grosser. 

Ralph Cramblet, United Artists branch 
manager, is visiting northern Minnesota 
accounts . . . Ann Foley, former Warner 
Bros.’ cashier, who resigned two years ago 
to move to Seattle, here on visit . . . Don- 
ald Guttmann welcomed back to his home 
town. He resigned from the Columbia 
sales staff, Omaha, to become Universal 
city salesman, succeeding Harold Johnson, 
who was promoted to branch manager. He 
formerly was with GB and GN here. 

Frank Mantzke, who was transferred 
from Minneapolis to Milwauke as Uni- 
versal branch manager and who is a 
red-hot Minnesota football fan, came up 
to see the Gophers play Washington . . . 
Peck Gomersall, Universal district man- 
ager, spent two and a half days here, 
negotiating a deal with the Minnesota 
Amusement Co. . . . “Nickey” Goldham- 
mer, RKO branch manager, under the 
weather. Nothing serious. 

Fred Rieger, Universal home office 
traveling auditor, a visitor . . . Louie 
Blumberg, veteran Minneapolis film sales- 
man, on leave of absence, is returning to 
the California desert near Palm Beach for 
his health. He will spend the winter there 
and expects to be back in the spring fully 
cured . . . Ted Husing here to broadcast 
the Minnesota-Washington football game 
... A large delegation of Canadian the- 
atre men will attend the “Friendship Din- 
ner” which W. A. Steffes and other local 
film men will give for Eddie Golden, Mono- 
gram vice-president, at the Nicollet hotel, 
October 14. 


15 Years Ago 


(From Boxoffice Files, Sept. 29, 1923) 

■QNIONS again are making demands of 
Kaycee exhibitors, this time asking for 
union musicians in suburban theatres at a 
much higher wage scale . . . Being picketed 
is Jay Means’ Murray Theatre for failure 
to accede to union overtures for a piano 
player at $30 per week . . . An organiza- 
tion has been formed by local exhibitors 
for purpose of equitably adjusting labor 
problems and fighting any adverse 
measures. 

Claire Windsor and Lew Cody, Goldwyn 
stars, and Emmett J. Flynn, Goldwyn di- 
rector, were in Kaycee last week for a 
few hours before departing for the coast 
. . . F. F. Nine and W. C. Ansell have been 
added to Selznick’s sales force . . . H. E. 
Schiller has resigned as Kansas City 
branch manager for Preferred Pictures 
Corp. 

William “Benny” Benjamin is now a 
special representative for FBO . . . Mark 
C. Read has taken over the Jefferson at 
Coffeyville, Kas., which he will convert 
from a road show to an exclusive motion 
picture house . . . The Liberty at Sedalia 
has opened under the management of Jack 
Truitt. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


59 


Then . . . and Now 


Kansas City — Ye 15 Years Ago editor, 
while browsing through dusty files, came 
upon the following ditty, proferred on the 
entertainment program after a dinner 
given by the Kaycee Woman's City Club 
on September 14, 1923: 

MR. BEN SHLYEN 
All the news of film-land, 

Is gathered by Mr. Shlyen, 

With a weather eye on censors, 

Of a legislative kind. 

He gossips with exhibitors, 

Producers and stars, too. 

In fact, with any one at all. 

Who will tell him something new. 

Plans Tax Exemption 

Bill to Foster Legit 

Minneapolis — Congressman Dewey John- 
son of this city will introduce a bill in the 
next Congress to eliminate the theatre ad- 
mission tax for all theatres playing 
straight flesh-and-blood entertainment. 
The purpose, he says, is to encourage 
stage presentations as a means of increas- 
ing employment. 

Johnson figures that the loss in direct 
tax revenue will be more than off-set in 
gains from taxes paid individually by in- 
corporated or individually owned theatres 
and by individuals put to work and ele- 
vated to the income tax paying classes. 

It is expected efforts will be made to 
have Johnson also exempt film theatres 
when they play stage shows in his bill. 


Four Films Clicking 

Minneapolis — The continued strong 
product that is being released still is 
proving a boxoffice stimulus in the terri- 
tory. Most recent pictures to click in a 
big way in the Twin Cities have been 
“Marie Antoinette,” “Boys Town” (cur- 
rently), “My Lucky Star” and “Algiers.” 


Wichita Fire Damage 

Wichita, Kas. — Fire broke out in the 
Novelty, Mrs. C. A. Bull’s theatre here, and 
did considerable damage to the booth and 
booth equipment. The operator suffered 
severe burns. The house is being repaired 
for immediate reopening. 


Western Sells Rapp 

Omaha — F. A. Van Husan of Western 
Theatre Supply Co., reports sale of com- 
plete booth and sound equipment to Cy 
Rapp of Station KMA, Shenandoah, la., 
for the Mayfair Theatre at Shenandoah. 


Meets Clark Gable 

Des Moines — Charles Wagner of Des 
Moines didn’t need to be introduced to his 
traveling companion with whom he con- 
versed all the way from Kansas City, 
Thursday. Clark Gable was an his way to 
Winnipeg on a fishing trip. 


Runs Osborne House 

Osborne, Kas. — Bill Blair now is per- 
sonally operating the Blair Theatre here. 
Bill formerly was at Mankato, Kas. 


Football Victories 
Costly to Theatres 

Minneapolis — High school football vic- 
tory celebrators are proving a problem for 
loop theatre managers. 

They got out of hand last Saturday and, 
rushing the Orpheum lobby and entrance, 
tore down canopy signs, stole lobby pic- 
tures and tried to crash into the theatre. 

Manager Bill Sears, trying to repulse 
the rowdies, was kicked in the stomach 
and painfully injured. With the help of 
ushers, however, he finally succeeded in 
dispersing the invaders. 

The police department is promising that 
the high school gangs will be dealt with 
severely the next time. Police will be 
posted at all the theatres on ensuing Fri- 
day nights. 

Incorporation Articles 
From Cedar Rapids Firm 

Des Moines — Articles of incorporation 
were filed with the secretary of state 
here by the G-G-S Amusement Co., Inc., of 
Cedar Rapids. C. F. Castle, president, and 
E. J. Sedlacek, secretary, are both of 
Marion, Iowa. A capital stock of $10,000 
was declared for operation of amusements, 
theatres, etc. 


Clinton Exhibition Co. 

Des Moines — Articles of incorporation 
have been filed with Secretary of State 
Robert E. O’Brien here by the Clinton 
Exhibition Co., Inc., of Clinton, la. A 
capital stock of $10,000 was declared, and 
general amusements given as the business. 
William H. Terry, New York City, is the 
president, and Henry DeBerry, New York 
City, secretary. 


BOWLING 

Kansas City — The Barkers, beating back 
Cinema Club in their first three tilts, and 
Don Davis, doing likewise to National 
Screen, are tied for first place in the film 
bowling league race. 


RESULTS 

LAST 

MONDAY 



M-G-M 

750 

888 

961 

2599 

2 

1 

Finton Jones 

.884 

859 

042 

2685 

1 

2 

Barkers 

.845 

784 

892 

2521 

3 

0 

Cinema Club 

.764 

780 

758 

2302 

0 

3 

National Screen . . . 

(ifil 

778 

697 

2136 

0 

3 

Don Davis 

.727 

818 

759 

2304 

3 

0 

Film Delivery 


804 

781 

2444 

1 

2 

Cresswell 

.612 

812 

798 

2222 

2 

1 

TEAM 

STANDINGS 








VV. 


L. 





, 8 


0 





3 


0 

Cresswell Photos 




. 2 


1 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 



2 


1 

Film Delivery . . . . 




1 


2 

Finton Jones 




1 


2 

Cinema Club 




0 


3 

National Screen . . . 




0 


3 


INDIV IDUAL. HIGH SCORES 
High 30: Frank Lambader, 581; Jimmie 
Lewis, 579; Frank Hensler, 557; Harlan 
Everett, 556. High 10: Frank Hensler, 224; 
Harlan Everett, 223; Charles Potter, 218; 
Jimmie Lewis, 215; Norris Cresswell, 213; VV. 
Pritchett, 211; Frank Lambader, 209. 

NEXT WEEK’S SCHEDULE 

Alleys 

Cresswell Photos vs. Don Davis 11 and 12 

Film Delivery vs National Screen. . . .13 and 14 

Finton Jones vs. Cinema Club 15 and 16 

M-G-M vs. Barkers 17 and 18 


No Time for Films 


Des Moines — It took Miss M. T. Moore, 
English geography teacher, just four days 
visiting Des Moines school and adult edu- 
cation classes to decide that England’s 
schools are superior to Iowa’s. 

In England, parents of offsprings able 
to keep up with competitive exams are 
granted bonuses of $60 and $85 each year 
per child attaining age 11. This is why 
homework is so popular in England, Miss 
Moore says. 

“We think homework has the additional 
advantage of keeping the children away 
from the films — even American films,” she 
continued. 


KAYCEE 

(Continued from page 17) 

two-foot high letters on each side of the 
house at the front which can he seen for 
over a mile along the well traveled John- 
son County highway. 

The Colonial <E. E. Webber sr.) is ad- 
vertising its midweek dime nights as the 
“Great Mid-Week Sale of Motion Pic- 
tures! — 50 Per Cent Reduction in Prices!” 

Sam Abend of Film Delivery got his 
name and picture in the Journal-Post the 
other day. He was the subject of a “Candid 
‘Shots’ With a Typewriter” by John Came- 
ron Swayze of the Post. It reviews Sam’s 
experience in the film business, and his 
successful efforts to bring over from Po- 
land, members of his family. 

K. P. Blanding, Barnard, Kas., has 
opened a house there with new RCA sound 
and AA Electric booth equipment . . . 
Genial Cecil Maberry of Monogram was in 
Monday through Wednesday to talk with 
L. F. Durland at the local exchange. 

Francis W. KeilhacJc of National Theatre 
Supply is waking up these mornings with 
a headache. Last week one evening about 
ten, he was driving from Salisbury to Car- 
rollton, Mo. On a detour he stopped to in- 
vestigate when he found two men lying 
in the road. One of them started a fight, 
the other socked him on the head with a 
black jack. He was out half an hour. A 
passing motorist brought him round, when 
he found that the man had taken nothing. 

Ben Marcus, branch manager, and L. E. 
Royster of Columbia, took “You Can’t 
Take It With You” to Wichita, Monday 
afternoon, for a screening at the Civic 
there . . . Louis Griefe, Windsor, Mo., was 
in town to sell Jim Foland a “beauty- 
rest” mattress. Louis thinks Jim needs it, 
with his arm in a cast. Anyway Louis has 
them for sale at his furniture store in 
Windsor. 


New Premium Soon 

Kansas City — Irving Zussman, presi- 
dent of Metro Premiums, Chicago, has 
notified Stanley Goldberg, Metro branch 
representative here, that the new “Sweet- 
heart Beauty-Ware” deals will be ready 
for exhibitors October 15. 


60 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 



Interest in Movie Quiz Bounds 
Forward, Reports Northern Ohio 


More Join 
Film Drive 

Detroit — Twenty-six theatres have been 
added to the list originally reported by 
M. Richey, Michigan chairman of the 
Movie Quiz drive, making a total of 184 
theatres now participating in the drive — 
68 in Detroit and 116 upstate, including 
the entire Butterfield circuit. 

New participants include the following: 
Booth, Julius London; Grande and Lan- 
caster, Lancaster circuit; Oakman, J. M. 
Krass; Washington (at Royal Oak), L. 
Kimmel, all in Detroit. 

Upstate operators include R. P. Wash- 
ington, Bay City, R. P. Leahy; Belleville, 
Belleville, Mrs. Anna Kirchner; Bridgman, 
Bridgman, O. A. Baldwin; Hollywood, Bu- 
chanan, E. C. Hoffman; Ideal, Clare, James 
Olson; Rowena, Fenton, J. C. Peck; Pal- 
ace, Petoskey, John A. Galster; Penniman- 
Allen, Plymouth, Harry R. Lush; Roseville, 
Roseville, Jeff Williams; Our, Standish, 
Herman A. Bird; Rialto, Wyandotte, Frank 
Wadlow; Majestic, Wyandotte, George 
Wilbur; and New, New Baltimore, S. F. 
Hunt. 


Cleveland Maps Local 
Drive Ad Campaign 

Cleveland — M. B. Horwitz, industry drive 
chairman, held a meeting in the assembly 
room of the Cleveland Motion Picture Ex- 
hibitors Ass’n of all Cleveland exhibitors 
who have signed pledges to support the 
drive. Purpose of the meeting was to map 
out a more extensive local advertising and 
publicity campaign to keep the public in- 
terest high. 

Pledges have been signed by 30 inde- 
pendent Cleveland houses and also by all 
of the local affiliated houses, Horwitz 
reports. 


Cleveland Drive Unit 

Sets Newspaper Tieup 

Cleveland — A contest linked with the 
Movie Quiz has been arranged with local 
newspapers by a drive committee formed 
recently and consisting of Sid Dannenberg 
of Warner Theatres; Milt Harris of Loew’s 
Theatres, and Mr. Pope of RKO Theatres. 

Newspapers are offering prizes for the 
best 50-word statement in answer to 
“What will you do if you win the first 
prize of $50,000 in the $250,000 Movie Quiz 
contest now being sponsored by the mo- 
tion picture industry?” 


Goring Resigns 

Pittsburgh — John P. Goring, manager 
of the local Fulton Theatre for several 
years, this week notified the Hyde & 
Behman and Mort Shea interests of New 
York, of his resignation. He will leave 
his post as soon as a successor is ap- 
pointed and is familiar with the duties in 
connection with the management of the 
Fulton. 


Cleveland — Over 700,000 Movie Quiz 
booklets have been distributed to north- 
ern Ohio exhibitors through the local 
M-G-M exchange, headquarters for quiz 
accessories. The largest share of the books 
have gone out within the past ten days. 

M. B. Horwitz, local drive chairman, 
states that interest, which was lukewarm 
at first, is growing with the showing of 
contest pictures in the neighborhood 
houses. “Now that we are getting a steady 
stream of quiz pictures in our subsequent 
run theatres, we can see the public in- 
terest in the quiz mounting daily,” Hor- 
witz stated in response to an inquiry as 
to the progress the contest is making in 
this territory. 

“Whether the contest is making money 
for us right now is difficult to determine,” 
Horwitz said. “Business is slightly im- 
proved, of that there is no doubt. But this 
can be accounted for by natural causes, 
such as cool evenings, as well as better 
pictures. There is no doubt in my mind, 
however,” stated Horwitz, “that the con- 
test provides the added push to those 
favorable conditions necessary to put the 
industry over the goal.” 

Everett Steinbuck, manager of Loew’s 

A Two-Month Span 
Shows 21 Changes 

Detroit — Bi-monthly report of theatre 
transactions, released by Allied Theatres 
of Michigan, discloses 21 changes taking 
place in the two-month period. Most en- 
couraging sign is the opening of three 
new theatres, none of which are in De- 
troit, and reopening of four, just off- 
setting the closing of four — largely sea- 
sonal transactions. 

In addition, nine theatres changed hands, 
including the five of the Jacob Schrei- 
ber circuit. All the closings, incidental- 
ly, were in Detroit with only one of the 
three reopenings in the city. 

One change on existing lists was made, 
transferring the Vandale Theatre, of the 
William Schulte circuit, from Detroit to 
the town of Van Dyke, the suburb in 
which it is located. 


Cambridge , Ohio , Will 
Vote on Sunday Shows 

Cambridge, Ohio — Petitions favoring the 
showing of motion pictures in Cambridge 
on Sunday, bearing the signatures of 794 
registered voters of the city, have been 
filed with the county board of elections 
and the issue will be voted on at the gen- 
eral election, November 8. 


State Theatre, also reports favorably on 
the progress of the quiz contest at the 
first-run houses. “Requests for booklets 
during the first two weeks following an- 
nouncements of the contest were slow,” 
said Steinbuck. Then we introduced a 
short explanatory trailer on our screens. 
The result was almost instantaneous. Re- 
quests began to multiply. We are very 
well pleased with the situation and foresee 
direct boxoffice benefits from the quiz 
contest.” 


Huge Interior Sign Plugs 
“Greatest Year" Campaign 

Detroit — United Detroit Theatres is ad- 
vertising the Movie Quiz with a huge 
electric sign, about ten feet across, in the 
lobby of the Michigan Theatre. In addi- 
tion to the usual special banners and 
posters, the management has erected a 
large arch through the principal passage 
at the back of the lobby, clearly visible 
from all parts. Details of the contest are 
given on the sides of the arch, while let- 
ters nearly a foot high, in yellow and 
orange lectric lights, call attention to 
“$250,000 MOVIE QUIZ CONTEST.” 

Mansfield Opening 
Draws Over 2,500 

Mansfield, Ohio — More than 2,500 peo- 
ple turned out for the gala opening of the 
new Park Theatre, ninth house in the 
independent circuit owned and operated 
by A. G. Constant and his associates with 
headquarters in Steubenville. 

The expectant crowd lined two sides of 
adjoining streets and every one of the 1,300 
seats was occupied soon after Mayor 
Claude Hunter cut the ribbon which of- 
ficially opened the theatre. 

T. J. Carroll of Akron acted as master 
of ceremonies and directed the taking of 
pictures of the opening ceremony. An- 
other of his duties was to introduce to the 
people of Mansfield, A. G. Constant, who 
made the theatre possible, George A. Delis, 
district manager of the Constant circuit, 
and Ralph H. Shaffer, manager of the 
Park Theatre. 

Following the first show a reception and 
luncheon was held in the ballroom of the 
Mansfield-Leland Hotel for guests, the- 
atre and city officials attended by more 
than 150. 


“Elephant Boy" in Demand 

Cleveland — Repeat bookings on “Ele- 
phant Boy” are swamping the United 
Artists exchanges with the arrival in this 
country of Sabu, Bert Stearn, UA dis- 
trict manager announces. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 ME 


61 



And Everybody Had 
A Good Time 

Pittsburgh — The Nixon Theatre, open- 
ing its new season, advertised Moss 
Hart and George S. Kaufman's "You 
Can't Take It With You" with special 
announcements that it “is not a movie." 

Harris Alvin, opening the Frank 
Capra film version of the play, came 
right back in advertisements: "This is 
not a stage show!" 

Mt. Clemens Paper 
Greets New House 

Detroit — One of the finest newspaper 
sendoffs given a new theatre in this state 
in a long time greeted the opening of the 
Jewel Theatre at Mt. Clemens last Wed- 
nesday, by Robert G. Peltier, and W. M. 
Trombley. Practically three full pages of 
articles and pictures were devoted to it by 
the Daily Leader of Mt. Clemens. 

A detailed history of Peltier’s career as 
a showman was presented. Incidentally, 
Peltier claims the title of the oldest active 
showman in Michigan. His career dates 
back to the opening of the first Mt. 
Clemens motion picture house, April 6, 
1906. 

The lobby is finished in an attractive 
blue tone, and there is an inner foyer as 
well as the lobby. Dark red drapes cover 
the stage and front walls. 

The service staff of the house in- 
cludes : Daniel Def enbaugh and Harry But- 
zler, chief operators; Fred Devantier, as- 
sistant operator; A1 Lardie, engineer; Carl 
Grassi, assistant; Lucille Peltier, cashier. 

The Jewel will get first run films, with 
second runs going to the Macomb, also 
run by Peltier. 

Butterfield Is Reopening 
Remodeled Saginaw Link 

Detroit — Butterfield circuit was to open 
the remodeled Regent at Saginaw, Mich., 
on Wednesday, September 28. 

A third-run policy • will be followed. 
Special promotions for the reopening were 
directed personally by J. O. Brooks, head 
booker of the circuit. 

The circuit has named L. H. Warner to 
manage the Rialto, recently taken over 
from Associated Theatres, at Three Rivers, 
Mich. Warner has been manager of the 
Riviera at Three Rivers, only other house 
in town, and will now manage both the- 
atres. 


Duncan Will Build 

Millersburg, Ohio — . Carl Duncan has 
announced plans for the erection of a 
modern theatre at E. Front and N. Main 
street at nearby Killbuck. Work will start 
as soon as the site is cleared. New house 
is expected to be ready for opening around 
January 1. 


^HE Pennsylvania graft investigating 

committee at Harrisburg, listened to 
more allegations this week with the Sun- 
day film law of 1935 continuing in the 
headlines. Former Atty.-Gen. Charles J. 
Margiotti elaborated his charge that this 
piece of legislation was held up in com- 
mittee and finally sold for $100,000. He 
charged that Rep. Charles Melchiorre, 
Philadelphia, chairman of the committee 
which had charge of the bill, told him 
that the “sale” was made and that he ac- 
cepted $5,000 for his part of the spoils. 
Melchiorre categorically denied accepting 
any cash bribes or knowing of any cash 
bribes. 

In connection with Margiotti’s allega- 
tions relative to the Sunday film legisla- 
tion, the committee issued subpoenas for 
records in the Tradesmen’s National Bank 
and Trust Co., Philadelphia; stock records 
of Warner Bros.; records of the Stern 
newspapers ; records of Albert M. Green- 
field, Philadelphia real estate broker; also 
the records of who received the Warner 
Bros, insurance business before and after 
the passage of the film bill. 

Newspapers throughout the state report 
the investigation is a “whitewash.” The 
inquiry is being stalled awaiting a deci- 
sion of the state supreme court on the 
constitutionality of the recent laws passed 
by the special session of the legislature 
designed to prevent a court inquiry into 
the full charges aimed at Governor Earle 
and more than a dozen other leading 
Democrats. The legislature was in its 
eighth week with another recess expected 
until after the November 8 election. 

Decision on the legality of Bingo, Banko 
arid other cash games will be announced 
by the Pennsylvania supreme court on the 
fourth Monday in November. There is no 
case involving Bank Night . . . There 
should be a decision soon from the state’s 
high court on the constitutionality of the 
chain store and theatre tax. 

John J. Maloney, M-G-M district man- 
ager, with headquarters here, and Burt 
Bishop, local branch manager, will depart 
with seven other domestic M-G-M sales 
winners on the Conte di Savoia, October 
22 for a visit in England and France, re- 
turning on the Queen Mary, November 2, 
depending on the European situation. If 
everything goes well and the trip, which 
they won, is made, they will meet winners 
of the international sales force in Paris. 
Bishop’s award was for his sales duties 
while manager at Charlotte before his 
promotion to the local office. 

Clare McLaughlin, veteran theatrical 
agent, is celebrating his 30 th anniversary 
as an agent. He has booked more than 
6,000 single shows . . . Paul S. Krume- 
nacker, office manager for Warners, who 
was promoted to the position as Albany 
branch manager, was presented with a fine 
traveling bag as a gift from members of 
the local exchange staff. 

Miss Mabel Sessi, secretary to George 
Lefko, RKO manager, has set December 
24 as the date for her marriage to Ian 
Buchannan Packman of Mt. Vernon, N. Y. 
. . . Variety Club chairmen for the week of 


October 2; Fabian Wright, Sunday; Co- 
lumbia Day, Monday; Elmer Ecker, Tues- 
day; Ray Downey, Wednesday; Mike Gal- 
lagher, Thursday; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph 
Gins, Friday; Jake Soltz, Saturday. Week 
of October 9: Dave Kimelman, Sunday; 
Larry Katz and Ben Brown (Election 
Day), Monday; John H. Harris, Tuesday; 
John O. Hooley, Wednesday; Ken Hoel, 
Thursday; Mr. and Mrs. Burtus Bishop 
jr., Friday; Harry Feldman, Saturday . . . 
Ira H. Cohn and members of his local 
20th-Fox exchange are working especially 
hard on a date drive for the week of 
October 16-22, the occasion honoring Bill 
Sussman, division manager. 

Frank Capra’s film version of “You 
Can’t Take It With You’’ opened Thurs- 
day at the Harris Alvin and the stage 
play, the Pulitzer prize winner of last sea- 
son, returned here to open the Nixon 
season, October 3 . . . Joseph R. Kauffman, 
Universal manager, attended an eastern 
managers’ meeting in New York last week- 
end . . . George Jaffe’s Casino Theatre, 
Diamond St., reopened with a midnight 
show last Sunday, offering burlesque from 
the lzzy Hirst wheel with specialty acts 
and short subject films. 

Ferd Midelberg’s new theatre at Logan, 
W. Va., seating 1,200, will be opened with- 
in the next few weeks . . . Work on the 
Grant Theatre, Millvale, Pa., is progress- 
ing without loss of playing time, according 
to Floyd Bender, manager . . . Billy ZeVan, 
decorator, is establishing a new Filmrow 
office where Don D’Carlo, theatrical 
booker, now presides . . . Bill Zeilor, Alvin 
manager, is vacationing in New York and 
his home town, Romney, W. Va. 

Variety Club this week published its 
schedule of chairmen up to and including 
March 4, at the same time suspending a 
dozen members for non-payment of dues. 
Annual election is scheduled for October 
10. All tickets for the tenth annual ban- 
quet, October 30, have been sold. Family 
( Friday j Nite party fee has been increased 
to $1.50. 

Bob Caskey, Paramount sales represen- 
tative, was back on the job this week after 
a siege of pneumonia which laid him low 
for three weeks . . . Bob Higgins, man- 
ager of the Palace Theatre, Charleroi, Pa., 
opened a new restaurant across from the 
theatre about a month ago and he is 
prospering. 

Pennsylvania College for Women has es- 
tablished a film rental library directed by 
Dr. James S. Kinder, head of the depart- 
ment of education. PCW library will serve 
the needs of schools and educational 
agencies in the tri-state area, supplying 
instructive films . . .Jim Alexander, Re- 
public manager, is campaign director in 
the YMCA enrollment drive for the South 
Hills branch . . . Third annual Dapper 
Dan Charity Banquet has been set for 
Sunday, November 20. Dr. Larry G. Bein- 
hauer, president, and Al Abrams, organi- 
zer, are in charge of distribution of 
tickets. 

Jake Richman, now remodeling his Pearl 
( Continued on page 66) 


62 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


ID) E T R C0> HI Y 


JOSEPH STOIA of the Midway, Circle, 
and other houses, and John Tatu of 
the Nortown, with their respective fami- 
lies, returned this week from a trip to Ru- 
mania. They were gone about three 
months, visiting their native country, and 
returning just about one jump ahead of 
the big guns, judging by headlines. 

Favorite indoor sport in local filmdom — 
formerly listening in to the Tigers’ games 
— is listening to European broadcasts, 
these troubled days. Irving Belinsky, How- 
ard Craven, and others, are hosts to a 
goodly crowd of the boys these days, with 
radios all hooked up. 

Charles Collins and his Hollywood Kid- 
dies returned from an engagement at 
both the Soos — Canadian and American, 
and Sudbury. Collins proudly reports that 
three of his proteges — the three Brodell 
Sisters, Mary, Jane, and Betty — are all 
now in the films. 

Charles Garner, roadshow distributor, 
was in Cleveland last week on personal 
business . . . Eddie Murphy reports busi- 
ness good upstate on “The Birth of a 
Baby,” which he is distributing, with a 
Detroit break on the film to come soon. 

Harold Sandelman, M-G-M city sales- 
man, is spending his days promoting the 
waltz as a successor to the plague of jit- 
terbugs. It’s all business for “The Great 
Waltz” . . . Ruth McGregor, personable 
steno for National Theatre Supply, re- 
turned to work Monday after a week’s ill- 
ness caused by a throat infection. 

Marian Shelby, soloist at the Fox The- 
atre, has fust returned from a business 
trip to New York, where she saw “Ameri- 
can Angel” and “Our Town,” raving about 
the first . . . W. J. Turnbull, National 
Theatre Supply manager, is doing such a 
good carpet selling job these days that 
some of his customers are buying them 
for their own homes. 

Freddie Bartholomew, booked for the 
Fox Theatre week of November 11, has 
been postponed, on account of film pro- 
duction schedules. Phil Spitalny and his 


Howard Roth Is Named 
Legion Post Commander 

Cleveland — Howard Roth, Paramount 
booker, has been elected commander of 
Variety Post 313 of the American Legion 
for the coming year to succeed Harry H. 
Goldstein, Paramount district manager. 
Roth was one of the founders of the Post 
and has been active in its programs since 
its organization. 

Other officers elected are: First vice- 
commander, John Himmelein; second vice- 
commander, Holbrook C. Bissell; finance 
officer, Nat Barach; adjutant, Dr. A. Bu- 
bis; first sergeant-at-arms, Jack Sogg; 
second sergeant-at-arms, Joe Swee; chap- 
lain, Aaron Wayne. 

Meeting of the Variety Post this year 
will be held in the Legion Post headquart- 
ers in the Arena Bldg. 


Hour of Charm Girls come in October 7 
for their first stand in this house. They 
are an old favorite at the Michigan . . . 
Norman E. Schram is forming the Theatre 
Management Co. 

Jack Ferentz, business agent of the Mu- 
sicians Local, is busy renovating head- 
quarters this month . . . Bob Zerke, pianist 
with the Bob Crosby Orchestra, was in 
town Tuesday. 

C. R. Ballard is rejoining the Jam 
Handy Picture Service and will specialize 
in commercial film production for school 
use. 

H. M. Richey had a busy midweek last 
week, flying over to Muskegon on Tues- 
day, unexpectedly , to stay till Wednes- 
day aiid being forced to cancel a speech 
he had scheduled at the Kiwanis Club, Mt. 
Clemens. 

L. H. Gardner, UDT executive, cele- 
brated his 11th birthday last Tuesday 
with a special birthday cake presented to 
him at the Statler Hotel by Earl Hudson. 
Gardner brought it back to the office and 
distributed it among the staff. 

Irving Belinsky, manager of the Film 
Exchange Drug Store, remodeled this week, 
is putting in glass bricks for the wall 
back of the soda fountain. 

No-Sag Spring Co., manufacturers of 
springs for theatre chairs, is working on 
an experimental development in this field, 
and will probably have a general an- 
nouncement ready in a few months. De- 
tails are being worked out with a large 
seating manufacturer whose identity has 
not been disclosed. 

Over 100 boys from the Ford Republic 
at Farmington, northwest of Detroit, were 
guests of the United Artists Theatre last 
week to see “Boys Town.” The Detroit 
organization is very similar in general 
plans to the Omaha project which is the 
subject of the film, and antidates its es- 
tablishment by six years. 


Chargot Reopens Chopin 
As Outlet lor Foreigns 

Detroit — Michael J. Chargot, circuit 
owner, has completed remodeling the 
Chopin Theatre, west side house, reopen- 
ing it September 25. 

Under the new policy, the theatre will 
be devoted primarily to Polish films, with 
Russian and Ukrainian films when avail- 
able. No English pictures are planned 
for the house, Chargot said. 


Adcaster Expands 

Detroit — Adcaster Service, Inc., here, 
has taken over the business and equip- 
ment of Adcaster Service, Inc., Chicago. 
James Lindsay, former superintendent, is 
in charge here. Equipment is being 
shipped here from Chicago. 


All-Time Record by 
" Boys Town" 

Cleveland — "Boys Town" established 
a new all-time Sunday attendance 
record at Loew's State Theatre. “More 
than 7,000 paid admissions were 
counted," Manager Everett Steinbuck 
reports. The weekend business, says 
Steinbuck, was 30 per cent over the 
average business for an entire week. 

The picture moved to the Stillman. 

Cooperative Makes 
Deals for Thirty 

Cleveland — Milton A. Mooney, who re- 
cently organized Co-operative Theatres of 
Ohio to buy and book product for a group 
of theatres, announces that he has closed 
contracts with Warner and with Para- 
mount for their 1938-39 product. Con- 
tracts involve approximately 30 theatres. 

These are the first product contracts 
negotiated by Co-operative Theatres of 
Ohio. A booking service for the group of 
theatres has been in operation since Sep- 
tember 1. 

Schader's Team Turns in 
$114 lor Shut-In Campaign 

Detroit — First complete returns in the 
Variety Club Knife Drive for funds to 
provide shows for shut-ins, were turned 
in by the publicity team, captained by 
Fred Schader. Schader himself rates 
credit for all but one of the 92 sales made 
by the team, setting something of a record 
for individual initiative. Besides the high 
prices paid for knives by Orchestra Lead- 
ers Lombardo, Kyser, and Buddy Rogers, 
tops for the team went to Variety Barker 
Robert Lohmar of the Hennies Brothers 
Shows, who chipped in to the tune of 
$12.00. In all, Schader’s team turned in 
$114.00. 


Party lor Alexander 

Pittsburgh — James H. Alexander, man- 
ager of Republic Pictures Corp. of Pitts- 
burgh, was honored by 150 friends and 
neighbors at a surprise birthday party at 
the South Hills’ Y. M. C. A., Monday 
evening. 


Build Up Poor Nights with 



Ask Us About It 

MOVIE SWEEPSTAKES, INC. 

FILM EXCHANGE BLDG. CLEVELAND, O. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


63 



J ^ RECORD crowd attended Paramount’s 
seventh birthday party, September 23, 
at the theatre lobby. Dan M. Myers was 
chairman and Dr. Harry Gradison Hill, 
Col. Arthur Frudenfeld, Anthony M. Sauer, 
Henry Von Unruh, Stanley Jacques and 
Cincy’s Mayor James G. Stewart were the 
reception committee . . . Public theatre 
receptions were popular all over the ter- 
ritory. The inaugural performance of the 
new Miami-Western Theatre, Oxford, was 
attended by many film folks, including 
Monogram’s Mr. and Mrs. William Onie, 
Mr. and Mrs. Milt Gurien, Phil Chakeres 
of Springfield, Moe Wilchens and Jack 
Mervis of Cincinnati. Hundreds of tele- 
grams and beautiful flowers, marked the 
official opening. 

Roy Wells also held a gala opening for 
his St. Paul Theatre, at Dayton, receiving 
many congratulatory messages and bou- 
quets in honor of the occasion . . . Lenore 
Schmidt is visiting the Phil Chakeres’ at 
Springfield . . . Fire destroyed J. D. 
Hughes’ Rhodell Theatre, Rhodell, W. Va. 

. . . Fred Wheeler jr., Gallipolis, Art Mil- 
ler, Uhrling & Davis circuit and Harry 
Thompson, new district booker for 
Schine’s, visited Filmrow this week. 

Mrs. Ludy Childers (Ruth Burnete) for- 
mer secretary to J. J. Grady, was the re- 
cipient of the following: “Congratulations! 
Delay in production necessitated setting 
back release date. Zanuck suggests a re- 
take. We understand you were on the 
verge of a missout but delivery was made, 
in time to prevent a dark house. All the 
boys are anxious to date new release. 
Advise availability. Also advise if all ex- 
ploitation angles were covered and send 
schedule of future releases. Best wishes 
from THE GANG.” It’s an 8^ -pound 
baby girl. 

Filmrow suffered a loss in the death of 
Catherine "Mom” Luebke, who conducted 
Filmrow restaurant for many years . . . 
M-G-M "Pep” club will hold a Victory 
dinner to celebrate their victory in the re- 
cent Tom Conners drive at the Lookout 
House, Dixie Highway . . . Timothy Joseph 
Cleary of M-G-M’s home office is here 
vacationing . 

Warner Club entertained with a party 
at the exchange with Martin Friedman of 
the home office as guest of honor . . . 
Universal’s Col. Paul Krieger is attending 
a sales conference in New York . . . Lowell 
Thomas, son of Henry Thomas, Liberty at 
Oak Hill, is matriculating at Ohio U, 
Athens . . . Queen City Variety Club is ex- 
panding its headquarters in the Nether- 
land Plaza Hotel. Additional rooms being 
added to the lounge will be ready for 
formal opening, November 1. 


Sound Service Change 

Detroit — National Sound Co., located 
at 14018 Woodward Ave., Highland Park, 
northend suburb of Detroit, has been taken 
over by Raymond Schroeder, an employe 
of the company under the former owner, 
John Fill. The firm specializes in sound 
equipment and servicing of public address 
equipment in theatres. 


SMPE Convention 
Plans Progressing 

Detroit — Arrangements for the fall 
convention of the Society of Motion Pic- 
ture Engineers, to be held here in October, 
are progressing rapidly, according to Karl 
Brenkert of Detroit, who is chairman of 
the local arrangements and reception com- 
mittee. 

The group will convene at 10 a. m. 
Monday, October 31. The first three days 
will be devoted entirely to business ses- 
sions. On November 3 a number of en- 
tertaining events will be provided. 

Speakers announced are John Strickler 
of Jam Handy Pictures Service and Dr. 
Kettering of General Motors. 

On Tuesday evening, November 1, the 
newly elected officers and honor guests 
will be introduced at a banquet and dance. 

Robert L . Madigan Dies 
Of Cerebral Hemorrhage 

Lisbon, Ohio — Robert L. Madigan, 44, 
manager of the New Lincoln Theatre for 
the past 12 years, died here suddenly on 
Friday of a cerebral hemorrhage. 

Before going to Lisbon, Madigan had 
been manager of the Standard Theatre in 
Cleveland. 

He entered the industry in 1918 upon 
his return from World War service in 
France as sergeant major in the infantry. 
He was a member of the American Legion 
and the Kiwanis Club of Lima. 

Surviving are his father, John F. of 
Lakewood; two brothers, Joseph V., circu- 
lation director of the News and Plain 
Dealer and Rev. John F., assistant pastor 
of St. Aquinas’ Catholic Church and a sis- 
ter, Mrs. Margaret Markee. 

Father Madigan celebrated a solemn 
high mass at funeral services which were 
held Monday, September 26 at St. Rose 
of Lima’s Catholic Church. 


Architects Taking Bids 
On Alma Remodel Job 

Detroit — Bennett and Straight, the- 
atrical architects of Dearborn, Mich., are 
taking bids for the remodeling of the 
Strand Theatre for William A. Cassidy 
circuit at Alma, Mich. New marquee, 
front, and lobby, as well as other altera- 
tions, are planned. 

The same firm is working on Ben Cohn’s 
new Crystal Theatre on Michigan Ave. 
here, construction having started this 
week. 


Russell to Canton 

Canton. Ohio — W. R. Russell of Park- 
ersburg, W. Va., has been named manager 
of the Palace Theatre here by George A. 
Delis, district manager of Inter-State 
Theatres, Inc., which operates the house. 
He succeeds Ralph H. Shaffer who re- 
cently became manager of the new Park 
at Mansfield under the same ownership. 


Picnic Items 


Cleveland — Orchids were voted un- 
animously by the Paramount gang as- 
sembled at Silver Springs Park for the 
office picnic to William Pullen, Columbus 
exhibitor and home-town Variety Club 
president, on the success of his personally 
engineered steak roast, with Branch Man- 
ager Duke Clark as first assistant. 

Harry Goldstein’s name has been handed 
in to the Indians, just in case Cleveland 
needs a good third baseman next season. 
Which proves that being a district man- 
ager does not in any way interfere with a 
fellow’s baseball prowess. 

Bill Brooks, booker, announces himself 
as a candidate for the next hog calling 
contest. He gained his experience call- 
ing out the Bingo numbers. 

Jack Gaynor of the poster department 
took home a set of dishes he didn’t have 
when the picnic started. He won it 
legitimately in one of the games’ contests. 

Mrs. Max Greenwald enjoyed the picnic 
very much. And why not? She won an 
electric percolator set with sugar and 
creamer included. 

Harry Stieber, custodian of the Para- 
mount building, was the Number One prize 
winner. He took home the card table 
with matching chairs. 

The boys walked off with the games 
prizes but it was girls who took top hon- 
ors when it came to staging the entertain- 
ment. Maybe the Paramount talent scouts 
are overlooking a couple of bets by not 
seeing Laveme Rasor and Rose Sudman 
stage a “trucking” exhibition. 

The whole affair, under the personal 
guidance of Duke Clark, went off without 
a hitch and it looks as if Clark has mapped 
out an annual job for himself. 

Cleveland RKO Palace 
Again Has Stage Shows 

Cleveland — The RKO Palace, which 
interrupted its regular vaudefilm policy 
over the summer in favor of pictures only, 
is again offering stage shows together with 
first-run pictures. Nat Holt, RKO Great 
Lakes division manager, announces six 
weeks of stage show bookings. 

Bookings announced at this time fol- 
lowing Zasu Pitts who offered the first 
stage show of the season are: Chester 
Morris and Bert Wheeler, the Stroud 
Twins, the All-American Ice Carnival, 
Duke Ellington’s orchestra, Jan Garber’s 
orchestra, Wayne Morris, Warner star and 
Gene Autry, Republic singing star. 


Carter to Reopen 

Cleveland — The Carter Theatre, East 
Ninth St., which has been closed all sum- 
mer, will reopen October 1 with a straight 
picture policy. The Carter belongs to the 
Community Circuit Theatres operated by 
Max Lefkowich and Henry Greenberger. 


Arco Being Remodeled 

Burgettstown, Pa. — The Arco Theatre 
is undergoing extensive remodeling and is 
being decorated. The house will be re- 
seated within a few weeks, according to 
George Clair, owner. 


64 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 



Height of Service 


New Castle, Pa. — The height of service 
to patrons was reached in a recent experi- 
ence of M. D. Cohn, manager of Monarch’s 
Penn Theatre here. 

An expectant father was viewing “Boys 
Town” when the hurry call came from his 
wife. Cohn located the patron and dis- 
covered the distracted fellow didn’t have 
his car handy. Taking his own car, Cohn 
rushed the man to his home, picking up 
the expectant mother and rushed her to 
a local hospital two jumps ahead of the 
stork. As Cohn tells it to Charlie Baron, 
M-G-M exploiteer and press representa- 
tive, he could hear the flapping of the 
stork’s wings as he went through stop 
lights and under the nose of a coming 
freight train. 

The story has an “un-Hollywood end- 
ing” as the baby was a girl. The grateful 
parents wanted to name the baby in honor 
of the picture “Boys Town,” but Cohn 
couldn’t find a girl’s name in the entire 
cast of the picture. Mother and daughter 
are doing well, and the picture continued 
on to a new house record at the Penn. 

This is Gospel truth, not a press agent’s 
yarn. We have Charlie Baron’s word 
for it. 


Madison Theatre Opening 
Is Moved Back by UDT 

Detroit — Delay in deciding the fate of 
the Madison Theatre by United Detroit 
circuit got public recognition when signs 
on the house announcing a September 
opening were changed to October. No 
definite date has been made, and earlier 
reports of a probable closing of the Broad- 
way-Capitol remain unconfirmed. It is as- 
sumed that the Madison would take over 
the Capitol pictures in that event. 


Ray Schreiber Starts 

"Flesh" at the Colonial 

Detroit — The rumored “flesh” policy 
went into Ray Schreiber’s Colonial this 
week, opening big with Fifi Dorsay as the 
headliner. 

Buddy Lester is emceeing, coming to the 
Colonial following his stand at the popular 
Saks Bar. 


Embassy Opening Near 

Cleveland — With the opening of the 
Embassy Theatre (formerly the Cameo) 
under the Community Circuit Theatres’ 
banner tentatively set for October 15, the 
final work of equipment installation is 
now being made by the Oliver Theatre 
Supply Co. under the supervision of L. P. 
Langford, president. The Embassy will 
have 1,500 seats all on one floor. 


Art Cinema Opens Season 

Pittsburgh — Following an extended en- 
gagement of “Lucrezia Borgia,” the Art 
Cinema opened its fall season this week 
with the Yiddish film, “The Dybbuk.” 
Gabe Rubin is operator of the Liberty Ave. 
theatre. 


West Virginia ITO 
Directors in Meet 

Pittsburgh — The executive committee of 
the newly organized Independent Theatre 
Owners of West Virginia held a meeting at 
Lumberport this week for the purpose of 
preparing a constitution and by-laws. 

A membership drive will be started at 
once. 

The new organization will cooperate 
with the West Virginia Managers’ Ass’n. 


Associated , Community 
Circuits Hold Clam Bake 

Cleveland — The Associated and Com- 
munity circuits buried their competitive 
hatchets to hold a joint clam bake at 
Regnatz’ on the West Side. The big event 
of the day, outside of the clam bake itself, 
was the East-Side-West Side ball game 
which, according to the East Siders, end- 
ed with a score of 29 to 13 in their favor. 
This puts the two teams on an equality 
inasmuch as the series of four games 
which they have played to date, they each 
have won two games. 

In addition to officials and personnel of 
the two independent theatre circuits, the 
guest list also included the local branch 
managers and bookers. 


Pleads Guilty of Taking 
Kramer Theatre Receipts 

Detroit — Joseph Bush pleaded guilty in 
recorder’s court to taking $42 from the 
boxoffice of Ben Cohn’s Kramer Theatre 
on December 19. He was placed under 
$10,000 bond by Judge John V. Brennan. 

There have been an extraordinary num- 
ber of attempts to get money from theatres 
in the past year, most of them by em- 
ployes, but in practically all cases they 
have been apprehended and the prosecu- 
tion has been uniformly successful. 


Marionette Theatre to 
Make Pittsburgh Debut 

Pittsburgh — A new theatre will open 
within a few weeks at 3710 Forbes St., ac- 
cording to Charles F. Danver, Pittsburgh- 
esque columnist of the Post-Gazette. 

The enterprise will be a marionette the- 
atre, operated by Carmen Carnevale. The 
puppet theatre will operate on a subscrip- 
tion basis with a musical version of “Ali 
Baba and the Forty Thieves” being an- 
nounced as the initial attraction. 


Grand Shuts Down 

Pittsburgh — The Grand Theatre, 
Moundsville, W. Va., operated by the 
George C. Davis circuit, and booked by 
Dick Jennings, has closed. There is a 
“closed for remodeling’* sign at the the- 
atre, but reports have it that the house 
will not be reopened under the same 
operating management. 


CLEVELAND 

^L GREGG, formerly in command of the 
RKO theatre publicity here, has been 
signed up by Nat L. Lefton to handle Re- 
public exploitation in Ohio. Gregg will 
commute between the Cleveland and Cin- 
cinnati offices. 

J. S. Jossey’s new Miami-Western The- 
atre at Oxford, Ohio, opened its doors for 
the first time, Friday, September 23, to an 
invited audience . . . Stuart Cagney is back 
with us again and once more steering the 
destiny of the Windameer Theatre where 
he held forth before enlisting with the 
Schine forces in Gloversville. 

For interesting news of the foreign situa- 
tion, see Charlie Gottlob of the Milo The- 
atre, who just returned from a six weeks’ 
journey through Russia, Poland and 
Czecho-Slovakia . . . Paul Gusdanovic has 
added “Wahoo,” sold locally by Jack 
Greenbaum, at his Regent Theatre . . . 
Mildred Harris, screen star of silent days, 
was last week’s headline attraction at the 
Roxy, Cleveland’s only burlesque house 
. . . Harry Thomas was in town last week 
looking for an independent distributor to 
handle “Monastery.” 

Gregory Vogae, Columbia booker, was 
glad to get back from his vacation in the 
Adirondack and White Mountains where 
he was rained on every day . . . “You 
Can’t Take It With You’’ made its north- 
ern Ohio debut, September 29, at the Pal- 
ace, Akron and the Palace, Canton. 

Dave Miller and Joe Engel, Universal 
district and branch managers, respective- 
ly, were in New York over the weekend 
getting the latest dope on the forthcom- 
ing “U” product and policies . . . J. J. 
Maloney, M-G-M district manager, was in 
town during the week in earnest session 
with Branch Manager Frank Drew. 

Rain all week kept most of the out-of- 
town regulars at home, but among the 
cxhibs spotted along Filmrow were Mr. and 
Mrs. Loren Solether of Chagrin Falls; 
George Delis of the Manos circuit, and 
Max Federhar of Akron. 

Sid Dannenberg celebrated his birthday 
last week by returning home from a New 
York hospital. 



P ERMANENT construction that means 
lowest upkeep cost at a surprisingly low 
first cost. 

Write for details 

THE F&Y 

BUILDING SERVICE 

328 E. Town — Columbus, O. 



BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


65 




Pittsburgh Meeting 
Strictlg Business 


Pittsburgh — No special preparations are 
being made for the annual convention of 
MPTO of W. Pa., Inc., which will be 
strictly a business session this year. 

All independent exhibitors are invited 
to attend, according to officers and di- 
rectors. The convention is a one-day af- 
fair this year, the date being Monday, 
October 24. 


Yesterday 

PITTSBURGH 

Turning Back Our Pages 
10 Years Ago 

^RT GOLDSMITH replaces Bob Mochrie 
as local Pathe manager, the latter be- 
ing advanced to the Philadelphia office . . . 
Joe Skirboll appointed general sales mana- 
ger for World Wide Pictures . . . Proposed 
new division of fire prevention ordinance 
for Pittsburgh, involving considerable ad- 
ditional expense on the part of the exhibi- 
tor, declared unreasonable by Fred J. Her- 
rington, MPTO secretary . . . Local court 
continues preliminary injunction which 
forbids the cessation of film service to H. 
E. Hammond’s Lyric Theatre, Erie, Pa. 
The exhibitor brought suit against various 
distributing companies following a dis- 
pute wherein he refused to abide by an 
award of the board of arbitration . . . 
Newspaper contest announced for the 
naming of the new East Liberty Theatre 
(the Enright) . . . Mort England opens a 
sound equipment office on Forbes street 
. . . Charles Freeman, New Castle exhibi- 
tor, incorporates new amusement com- 
pany and announces plans for expansion, 
as does Harry Hendel, Pittsburgh show- 
man: Thompson and Richelieu also in the 
news with announcement of a new house 
for Clearfield . . . UFA exchange opened 
here by Jack Cohen, with Jack Leary as 
salesman . . . Loew’s Penn inaugurates new 
sound equipment with Emil Jannings in 
“The Patriot;” Grand opens with sound, 
playing “Lilac Time;” Aldine and Stanley 
are fully equipped and four Harris houses 
are being wired; Olympic reopens with 
sound pictures; only unwired theatre 
downtown, the Davis, reopens with con- 
tinuous vaudeville and silent pictures . . . 
Warner Bros, secure control of First Na- 
tional . . . Hits of the week at downtown 
theatres are “Four Sons,” (Fox) ; “Two 
Lovers” (UA), and “Wings” (Para), in 
its regular first-run engagement. 


Mrs. Yetta Steel 

Cleveland — Funeral services were held 
Wednesday for Mrs. Yetta Steel, mother of 
Jerry Steel of the Apollo Theatre, Oberlin, 
Ohio, who died Tuesday after a long ill- 
ness. Burial was in Glenville cemetery. 


Karns to Freelance 

Hollywood — Roscoe Karns will free- 
lance after his assignment in “King of 
Chinatown” for Paramount. 


Detroit Film Bowling 

Team Lineup Complete 

Detroit — Lineup of teams for the Film 
Bowling League is complete according to 
Secretary Frank Jones of Vitagraph. The 
season opened September 30. 

Eight teams are competing as usual, with 
five men to a team, plus a “spare” man 
for each team. The spares are newer 
bowlers, and in most cases the records do 
not yet indicate their first names. 

Members of each team, and their stand- 
ings for last year — except for the spare 
men — are given as follows: 

1. Film Truck Service: Bob Misch, captain, 169; 
Gene Alexander, 159; Stanley Malinowski 160; Art 
Koskie, 151; Frank Jones, 177; Andy Anderson, 
spare; team average, 816. 

2. Twentieth Century-Fox: Art Knapp .captain, 
174; Walter Goryl, 176; A1 Beyer, 163; Jay Con- 
over, 157; A1 Champaign, 152; Strum jr., spare; 
team average, 822. 

3. Monogram: Joe Decker, captain, 166; Jack 
Saxe, 163; Emil Beck, 162; Max Blumenthal, 160; 
Ed Loye, 163; Baker, spare; team average, 814. 

4. Republic: Irwin Pollard, captain, 176; Jack 
Susami, 174; Sam Seplowin, 166; Freddie Sturgess, 
155; Joe Tracy, 146; Save Kaplan, spare; team 
average, 817. 

5. United Artists: Bert Holmes, captain, 164; 
Lou Metzger, 183; Otto Gruenwald, 167; Moe 
Dudelson, 152; Syd Bowman, 149; Earl Hoffman, 
spare; team average, 815. 

6. Amusement Supply: Barney Adair, captain, 
182; Wade Allen, 164; Cliff White, 164; Ralph 
Ruben, 156; Sam Merson, 158; Adler, spare; team 
average, 824. 

7. Cooperative Theatres: Jake Sullivan, captain, 
163; Jerry Schneider, 187; Cully Buermele, 170; 
Jack Stewart, 142; B. G. Currie, 152; Thompson, 
spare; team average 815. 

8. Film Drug: Milt Cohen, captain, 169; A1 Ru- 
pert, 173; Ray Cloud, 159; Claire Townsend, 165; 
Irving Belinsky, 155; Studebaker, spare; team 
average, 821. 


Pittsburgh — Filmrow Bowling League 
season got under way last Friday evening 
with eight teams in the field and 44 
bowlers participating. Stepping into the 
lead with three games won was 20th-Fox; 
Monarch, Republic and Superior tied for 
second honors. 

High individual score for one game, 
which carries a $1 award, was 222, rolled 
by Louie Michael. Joe Scholl was second 
with a 204 game. For high score for three 
games, Scholl was first with 534 and 
Michael was close behind with 510. Mon- 
arch, with 743, won the high team score. 

STANDINGS OF THE TEAMS 


U . Xj. 

20th-Fox 3 0 

Monarch 2 1 

Republic 2 1 

Superior 2 1 

Columbia 1 2 

Universal 1 2 

Paramount 1 2 

M-G-M 0 3 

SCHEDULE OCT. 7 

Alleys 

Superior vs. Universal 1 and 2 

Columbia vs. 20th-Fox 3 and 4 

M-G-M vs. Monarch 5 and 6 

Republic vs. Paramount 7 and 8 

All games rolled at New Club Alleys, Fri- 

day evenings, at 8:30 o’clock. All hecklers 
invited. 


Cleveland — Scores resulting from the 
second tilt of the Cleveland Film Bowling 
League which meets every Tuesday are as 


follows: 






Won Lost 

Pet. 

Messengers 



.833 

Columbia 



.833 

National Supply 



.500 

Central Shippers 


2 4 

.333 

KKO 


2 4 

.333 

Metro 


1 5 

.167 

Team High Single 

Team High Three 

National Supply 

.844 

Columbia 

. .2377 

Messengers 

.811 

Messengers 

. .2317 

Columbia 

.807 

Metro 

. .2294 

High Single 

• 

High Three 


Baird 

.233 

Baird 

. . 584 


Individual Scores 

Baird, 182; White, 167; Fosbender, 167; Koteles, 
160; E. Gross, 158; Gallupe, 157; Swee, 155; W. 


"Hardy" Film Pegs 
Grosses for UDT 


Detroit — Exceptional business over last 
weekend was reported from suburban 
houses of the United Detroit circuit, repre- 
senting a 15 to 20 per cent increase. Prin- 
cipal credit for the situation went to the 
film. “Love Finds Andy Hardy,” which 
broke simultaneously at UDT’s Broadway- 
Capitol, Riviera, Cinderella, and Fisher, 
and was responsible for bringing most of 
the trade into the theatres, in the opinion 
of UDT executives. 


PITTSBURGH 

(Continued from page 62) 

Theatre, departed with his tonsils last 
week . . . Harris-Palace stepped out Satur- 
day with the “dare you see” double-chill- 
ing program, “Frankenstein” and “Drac- 
ula” . . . Frederick Burleigh has returned 
as director of the Pittsburgh Playhouse 
and has set October 24 as the opening 
date for the initial attraction, “It Can’t 
Happen Here.” 

John Panopoulos, former New Cumber- 
land, W. Va., exhibitor, was a Filmrow 
booker the other day, reporting that he 
has opened at his new stand, the old 
Grand, at Belington, W. Va., which he has 
named the Belington . . . Louis Michael, 
veteran south side exhibitor, says that he 
hopes to conclude negotiations within the 
next few days whereby he and his brother, 
Christ Michael, will retain their Liberty 
and Strand Theatres which were sold by 
the sheriff two weeks ago. 

Joseph P. Morrow, 45, father of Jackie 
Morrow, Pittsburgh juvenile movie actor, 
died last week in Hollywood. He was for- 
merly employed by Service Engraving Co. 
here . . . Melvin Leonard Alderman, son of 
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Alderman, has en- 
tered Duquesne University . . . Danny 
Davis, Lumberport, secretary of the new 
W. Va. exhibitor organization, was a re- 
cent visitor on the celluloid market . . . 
M. A. Rosenberg and Fred J. Herrington, 
president and secretary respectively of the 
MPTO of W. Pa., Inc., will attend Allied’s 
eastern regional convention at Atlantic 
City, October 19-21. 

Jerry Roth, son of I. Roth, operator 
of the Penn Theatre, is located in New 
York as booker for 14 New Jersey theatres 
. . . Don D’Carlo, theatrical booker with 
Filmrow headquarters, and Jake Soltz of 
the Rhumba circuit, were the winners of 
season tickets for the Pitt grad games 
. . . George Gore of Johnstown has re- 
signed as cameraman for Atlantic Screen 
Service . . . Frieda Brog is in charge of 
Atlantic’s new Filmrow depot. 


Gross, 155; Miller, 154; Sharp, 154; Hoobler, 152; 
Brooks, 151; Mross, 151; Huber, 151; Schmertz, 
150; H. Fleming, 148; Krupka, 147; E. Fleming, 
146; B. Andrews, 143; Sodenberg, 141; Dowdell, 
139; Stefions, 137; Watts, 135; S. Andrews, 128; 
Sabot, 125; Bernstein, 119; .lenks, 116; Braeunig, 
115; Walters, 96; EftGrow, 94. 


66 


BOXOFFJCE :: October 1, 1938 


Display First Projector 
For a Sesqui-Centennial 

Pittsburgh — In connection with Alle- 
gheny county’s Sesqui-Centennial celebra- 
tion, the original S. Lubin Motion Picture 
Machine, manufactured in 1903, was dis- 
played in store windows here. 

This machine was the first projector 
used at the Nickelodeon, first motion pic- 
ture theatre opened on Smithfield St. in 
June, 1905, by Harry Davis and John P. 
Harris. The old wooden projector, along 
with other historical displays, was attract- 
ing considerable attention last week. 

Poster No. 4, in the set of one-sheets 
advertising “Motion Pictures’ Greatest 
Year,’’ shows the front of the original 
Nickelodeon. 


Modernizes 

Detroit — Continuing an extensive pro- 
gram of theatre rebuilding, including the 
New Crystal Theatre now being built, Ben 
Cohn is installing a new ventilating sys- 
tem in the Kramer Theatre. Contract 
was awarded to Spitzley Rettemier Sheet 
Metal Co., at a cost of about $7,000. 


Lights for Majestic 

Columbus, Ohio — The Majestic, RKO 
unit, dark for several months, has been 
reopened. The house will retain its for- 
mer policy of double bills, with program 
changes Saturday and Wednesday. 


The Best Market 


Pittsburgh — Four months on the job 
here as southern territorial sales repre- 
sentative for New Universal and William 
Satori is leading the country in sales for 
the 1938-39 product. 

That’s doing a grand job. 

But that’s only part of the story. 

Satori was unfamiliar with the do- 
mestic market when he came here. He 
was unfamiliar with the Pittsburgh terri- 
tory and the American exhibitor. But he 
knew his product. 

He came to the United States when Ger- 
many took over Austria, necessitating the 
liquidation of the Universal office there 
with which Satori was connected. — R. F. K. 


Study Aluminum 

Detroit — Jam Handy Picture Service 
has just completed production and is re- 
leasing “Aluminum — Mine to Metal,” an 
educational sound film featuring the story 
of aluminum from the clay source to the 
finished product. 


Helms Ambridge 

Ambridge, Pa. — Harry Kendrick, onetime 
manager of the Enright Theatre in Pitts- 
burgh, has been named manager of the 
Ambridge here, replacing William Gold- 
man. 


Ex-Censor Baker Turns 
To One-Reeler Writing 

Detroit — Lieutenant Royal A. Baker, 
who retired as police censor three years 
ago, after a quarter century of censoring 
films for this territory, was an exchange 
visitor last Thursday. He disclosed that 
he is going to San Mateo, Calif., in a few 
weeks, to prepare the script for a series of 
52 one-reelers to be produced by Park 
Brothers, on astronomy and astrology. 
Baker is also the author of a 52-unit 
series, “The Evolution of Things,” of which 
eight have been completed, and the bal- 
ance are practically finished, he stated. 

He is living at Bass Lake, near Stock- 
bridge, Mich., and the fish are so good 
out there that he displayed marks where 
a fish bit him the other day — no kidding. 


New Detroit Firm 

Detroit — A new company to build and 
operate the projected Esquire Theatre on 
the east side of Detroit has been incor- 
porated as the Esquire Theatre Corp. 
Capitalization is $100,000. Stockholders 
are Charles E. Trombley, Andrew F. Mus- 
etti jr., and Frank E. Foster of Detroit 
and Grosse Pointe. 


RKO Signs Huish 

New York — The Huish circuit of Utah 
and Nevada has closed with RKO for 
1938-39 product. 


How to operate motion picture theatres 

profitably 

Here is a new book full of HOW TO DO IT information, written by a man 
who believes that the first objective of theatre management is to make money. 
In this book he covers motion picture theatre management from A to Z, 
giving the best results of years of experience as a guide in establishing 
successful policies, building profitable business, and efficiently operating any 
size theatre. 

The Management of 
Motion Picture Theatres 

By FRANK H. RICKETSON, Jr. 

Get This Great Aid to Theatre President, Fox Inter-Mountain Theatres, Inc. 

Management! GET IT TODAY!! 375 pages, 6x9, illustrated, $3.50 

Send check or money order to 

ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS, 4704 East Ninth Street, Kansas City, Missouri 



BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


67 


fOMTIOn BUREAU 


Readers of BOXOFFICE will find this 
page a ready source of information on 
products which have been filed for refer- 
ence with The MODERN THEATRE IN- 
FORMATION BUREAU. 


Information on the following items may be secured by sending in the coupon. 

Use the key numbers. If data on subjects other than those listed is wanted, 

just state your requirements. We will endeavor to see that you are supplied • 

with details promptly. 


MT517 Air filters 

ADVERTISING MT518 Air diffusers, high velocity 

MT519 Cooling coils 


MT481 Main signs and marquees 

MT482 Signs, Neon 

MT483 Signs, structural glass 

MT48 4 Signs, travel word 

MT485 Attraction boards 

MT486 Letters, attraction board 

MT487 Letters, changeable silhouette 

MT488 Price signs, boxoffice 

MT489 Display frames 

MT490 Poster lights 

MT491 Poster projectors 

MT482 Cut-out machines 

MT493 Time schedule clocks, electric 

MT494 Monogrammed mats, rubber 

MT495 Slides, advertising 

MT496 Slides, announcement 

MT497 Sound truck P. A. systems 

MT498 Transformers, Neon 

MT499 Ladders, safety 

MT500 Moving words projector 


AIR CONDITIONING 


MT505 Air conditioning plants — com- 
plete 

MT506 Heating systems 

MT507 Refrigeration 

MT508 Air washers 

MT509 Blowers 

MT510 Air circulators 

MT511 Fans, exhaust 

MT512 Grilles and registers 

MT513 Temperature control devices 

MT514 Air conditioning accessories 

MT515 Motors, multi-speed fan 

MT516 Motors, constant speed 


DECORATIONS and FURNISHING 


MT520 Architectural service 

MT521 Decorating service 

MT522 Seating service 

MT523 Theatre chairs 

MT524 Chair covers 

MT525 Theatre carpets 

MT526 Carpet padding 

MT527 Rubber matting 

MT528 Furniture, lounge 

MT529 Wall tiles, interior 

MT530 Fabrics, decorating 

MT531 Brass railings 

MT532 Rope railings 

MT533 Metal, ornamental 

MT534 Mirrors 

MT535 Luminous colors 

MT536 Ticket booths 

MT537 Directional signs 

MT538 Exit boxes 

MT539 Curtain controls 

MT540 Curtain tracks 

MT541 Curtains, fireproof 

MT542 Fountains, drinking 

MT543 Fountains, ornamental 

MT544 Rubber seat upholstery 

MT545 Rubber floor & wall coverings 


LIGHTING 


MT550 Fixtures, lighting 
MT551 Colored lamps 
MT552 Lumiline lamps 
MT553 Candle flame lamps 


USE THIS COUPON 

IF WHAT YOU WANT ISN'T LISTED, ASK FOR IT BY NAME 
UNDER "REMARKS" 


The MODERN THEATRE 1 

Room 334 — 332 S. Michigan Ave. I 

Chicago, 111. 10-1-38 I 

I 

Please obtain for me free descriptive literature on the following ^ 
items. (List Key Numbers Below.) 


Remarks:. 


Name 

Theatre 

City State. 


I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

1 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 


MT554 Floodlight lamps 

MT555 Spotlight lamps 

MT556 Sign lamps 

MT557 Dimmers 

MT558 Ultra violet lighting 

MT559 Silhouette letter mounting units 

MT560 Flashed opal glass 

MT56X Pot metal opal glass 

MT562 Fuses, indicator type 

MT563 Fuses, cartridge 

MT564 Lighting plants, individual 


MAINTENANCE 


MT642 Cleaners, vacuum 
MT643 Disinfectants 
MT644 Deodorant blocks 
MT645 Insecticides 
MT646 Disseminators 
MT647 Air purifiers, ozone 
MT648 Air perfumes 
MT649 Air sprays 
MT650 Soap dispensers 
MT651 Soaps, liquid 
MT652 Hand driers, electric 
MT653 Chewing gum solvents 
MT654 Rubber link matting 
MT655 Exhaust fans 
MT656 Plumbing fixtures 
MT657 Toilet seats 


MT569 Expansion Bolts 
MT570 Chair fastening cement 
MT571 Chair refinishing materials 
MT572 Upholstering materials 
MT573 Seat patching kits 
MT574 Seat decking materials 
MT575 Floor surfacing materials 
MT576 Carpet cleaning systems 
MT577 Floor waxes 
MT578 Matting, rubber 
MT579 Paint, screen 
MT580 Paint, plastic 
MT581 Paint, aluminum 
MT582 Polish, metal 
MT583 Polish, furniture 
MT584 Fireproofing compounds 
MT585 Fire extinguishers 
MT586 Ladders, safety 
MT587 Uniforms, staff 
MT588 Screen cleaning tools 
MT589 Venetian blind cleaners 


PROJECTION 


SOUND 


MT661 Sound systems, complete 

MT662 Sound heads 

MT663 Amplifiers 

MT664 Pre-amplifiers 

MT665 Speakers 

MT666 Rectifiers 

MT667 Condensers 

MT668 Photo-electric cells 

MT669 Tubes, amplifier 

MT670 Tubes, rectifier 

MT671 Exciter lamps 

MT672 Baffles, horn 

MT673 Lens assemblies, sound 

MT674 Public address systems 

MT675 Microphones 

MT676 Microphone stands 

MT677 Hearing aid systems 

MTB78 Acoustical materials 


MT591 Projectors, complete with sound 

MT592 Projectors, standard 

MT593 Projectors, semi-portable 

MT594 Projector pedestals 

MT595 Projector parts 

MT596 Lamps, suprex type 

MT597 Lamps, reflector arc 

MT598 Lamps, high intensity 

MT599 Lamps, incandescent projection 

MT600 Arc regulators 

MT601 Arc controls 

MT602 Control panels 

MT603 Rectifiers, copper-oxide 

MT604 Rectifiers, tube type 

MT605 Bulbs, rectifier 

MT606 Rheostats, projection 

MT607 Motor-generators 

MT608 Lenses, projection 

MT609 Lenses, condenser 

MT610 Current changers 

MT611 Mirror reflectors 

MT612 Carbons, projector 

MT613 Carbon savers 

MT614 Reels 

MT615 Reel alarms 

MT616 Rewinders, automatic 

MT617 Change-over devices 

MT618 Slide, projection 

MT619 Lamps, spot and flood 

MT620 Take-ups, film 

MT621 Film safety controls 

MT622 Fire prevention devices 

MT623 Fire shutters, porthole 

MT624 Film scales 

MT625 Film scrapers 

MT626 Film splicers 

MT627 Film cleaners 

MT628 Air gun (cleaner) 

MT629 Tool kits 
MT630 Film cabinets 
MT631 Film cabinet stands 
MT632 Effect projectors 
MT633 Rectifiers, magnesium-copper 
sulphide 


SANITATION 


MT641 Cleaning compounds 


STAGE EQUIPMENT 


MTt>85 Screens, moving picture 
MTB86 Lighting, stage 
MT687 Curtain controls 
MTB88 Curtain tracks 
MT689 Stage draperies 
MT690 Stage rigging 
MT691 Scenery, stage 
MT692 Footlights 
MT693 Switchboards 


STRUCTURAL MATERIALS 


MT700 Structural glass.es 
MT701 Insulation materials 
MT702 Acoustical materials 
MT703 Fibre boards 
MT704 Fronts, glass 
MT705 Fronts, vitreous enamel 
MT706 Fronts, porcelain enamel 
MT707 Fronts, stainless steel 
MT708 Toilet partitions, metal 
MT709 Flooring, asphalt tile 


MISCELLANEOUS 


MT715 Accounting systems 
MT716 Change makers 
MT717 Safes, boxoffice 
MT718 Tickets 
MT719 Ticket choppers 
MT720 Ticket issuing machines 
MT721 Ticket registers 
MT722 Ticket holders 
MT723 Pop corn machines 
MT724 Uniforms, staff 


68 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


Almost Film Golf 
Meet in Portland 

Portland — The golf bug is biting rather 
hard at filmites these days. Spotted on 
the Riverside course Saturday and Sun- 
day were two State Theatre ushers, Delma 
Galbraith, dramatic critic on the Port- 
land Evening Express; Walter Dyer, as- 
sistant-booker at the Paramount ex- 
change; two theatre managers, one assist- 
ant, and your correspondent. Honors for 
efficiency, love of the game and persist- 
ence among Filmrow players must, of 
necessity, go to Walter Dyer, who, in spite 
of a steady rain last Sunday played 36 
holes. Walter modestly admits that he 
doesn’t consider he has a decent score 
unless he cards a 42 or under. 

Latest recruit is Billy Romanoff, chief- 
of-service at the State Theatre, who 
played for the first time in his life, one 
day this week. Incidentally, Billy has just 
purchased that new sedan he’s been talk- 
ing so much about — a ’31 Ford. At least 
it’s new to him. 

Holiday Greetings for 

Jews in Massachusetts 

Boston — Extending greetings to the 
250,000 Jewish people of Massachusetts on 
the occasion of the Jewish New Year, Gov- 
ernor Hurley last week declared that “we 
in America will ever delight in affording 
our Jewish citizens an equal opportunity 
for service in the greater good of city, state, 
and nation.” 

The governor expressed the hope that 
Jewry’s distress in- Europe not only will 
evoke universal sympathy, but arouse the 
world to its sense of social and moral 
justice. 

Boston Film Circles 

Hit by Appendicitis 

Boston — John Carroll, manager of the 
Paramount, has been confined to the Baker 
Memorial Hospital with appendicitis. 

Norma Boone, formerly of the Elida 
Ballet at the Metropolitan, has been ill 
at home with appendicitis. 

Patricia Smart, formerly of the Fine 
Arts, has been at the Charlesgate Hospital 
on Memorial Drive following an appendi- 
citis operation. 


New Transcript Critic 

Boston — Mordaunt Hall is replaced as 
drama editor on the Boston Transcript 
by John Hutchens. Hutchens was assist- 
ant to Brooks Atkinson of the New York 
Times for eight years. The Transcript is 
at present in receivership. 


Girl to Darby 

Boston — James Darby, manager of the 
Modern in Boston for the M&P Theatres 
Corp., again is a father. His first was 
a boy weighing 12 pounds six ounces. His 
present is a girl weighing 12 pounds one 
ounce. 


And Then Came the 
Hurricane 

Boston — A smiling exhibitor was seen 
in the district Monday. 

"You seem happy," someone re- 
marked. 

“I am," he grinned. 'Tve been hav- 
ing trouble making deals. Percentage 
pictures have taken all my profits. Bank 
Night isn't what it used to be. A wom- 
an fell in my lobby and is suing the 
corporation. My equipment's getting 
old. The hurricane blew my theatre 
down Wednesday, and now I have no 
more worries." 

Furst Resigns Post 
For Warner in Hub 

Boston — < Nathan Furst resigned last 
week as Boston branch manager for War- 
ner Bros. Norman Ayers has been trans- 
ferred from Albany to replace Furst. 

Furst came to Boston from the Warner 
branch in New Haven about 18 months 
ago succeeding Thomas B. Spry. Spry, 
one of the original First National fran- 
chise owners in New England who man- 
aged the exchange for nearly 20 years, 
joined United Artists here as district 
manager. 

Daylight Saving for Four 
States in New England 

Boston — Daylight saving time was gen- 
erally extended throughout this week in 
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, 
and Maine. The move was taken largely 
because of the fact that millions of homes 
in this territory were still without elec- 
tricity early this week. 

Those theatres still operating generally 
abided by the extension. Radio stations, 
because of interstate schedules, went on 
E. S. T. at 2 a. m. Sunday, however. Rail- 
road and steamship lines were also forced 
on eastern standard time. 

Kraska Takes Role of 
Guard After Hurricane 

Boston — Leonard Kraska, assistant 
manager of the Fine Arts, went downtown 
Wednesday evening to see the after-ef- 
fects of the hurricane. Kraska, who is a 
special police officer, was handed a gun 
and a billy and detailed to stand guard 
on Washington St. where plate glass win- 
dows had been blown out of Bond Cloth- 
ing Co. 


Ansin in Cast 

Boston — Edward Ansin, Interstate The- 
atres partner, is in a cast that extends 
from ankle to chest. The cast will be 
removed next week, it is expected, after 
Ansin has been confined three days on 
his back. He has been troubled with a 
hip ailment. 


Hypo for Campaign 
In "Movie Week" 

New Haven — The Motion Pictures’ 
Greatest Year campaign and Movie Quiz 
received renewed impetus in the form of a 
“Go to the Movies” week in New Haven. 
All newspaper advertising of the down- 
towns plugged the “week” and cooperation 
of department and other stores was ob- 
tained in this respect also. Other Con- 
necticut towns are also planning such a 
week. The independents participating in 
the quiz contest now number over 40, the 
latest to join including the Seymour Thea- 
tre, Seymour; Finn’s, Jewett City; Capi- 
tol, Milford; Strand, Plain ville; Stam- 
ford, Stamford; Essex Square, Essex; 
Cameo and Alhambra, Waterbury; Colo- 
nial, Canaan, and Carroll, Waterbury. 

Tlie New Haven Advertising Club de- 
voted its weekly meeting at the Hotel 
Taft to a discussion of the motion picture 
industry, with Ernest Emerling and Ed- 
ward Dowden of the New York Loew’s, 
Inc., office as guest speakers. Front and 
inside pages of the bulletin of the club 
hailed the industry as “a million dollar 
advertiser” and the speakers described 
its conduct on a national scale, and the 
the organization of the present campaign, 
and the relationship of theatre and other 
business. Proclamation of the mayor of 
New Haven with regard to “Go to the 
Movies Week” appeared in the local press. 

First reports indicate that approximate y 
60,000 Quiz booklets have been distributed 
in New Haven and first-runs state that 
queries of patrons are on the increase. 


Smaller Houses Join 
Industry Campaign 

Eoston — Smaller New England theatres 
were joining the Motion Pictures’ Great- 
est Year campaign at a much greater 
speed, Max L. Levenson, regional chairman, 
told this publication last week. He based 
his report on the situation before the hur- 
ricane. 

Smaller exhibitors seem to be getting 
increasing demands for booklets, Levenson 
said. 


", Spaghetti " 111 

Boston — The name of an Italian em- 
ploye at the Merrimack Park Auto Thea- 
tre in Methuen is so hard to pronounce 
that the individual is known to his con- 
federates as “Spaghetti.” He is now on 
the hospital danger list following injuries 
received when the outdoor theatre was de- 
molished. Tlie name on the danger list is 
“Spaghetti.” 


Horgan Loses Sloop 

Boston — Tom Horgan, A. P. man here 
who has been entertaining local film crit- 
ics and others aboard an auxiliary sloop 
this summer, lost his craft in the hurri- 
cane. It had been anchored off the Bos- 
ton Yacht Club. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 NE 


69 


FDLL COUNT OF HURRICANE DAMAGE MUST 
AWAIT COMPLETE REPORTS FROM TERRITORY 

Flood waters and Power Operations Resumed As 

Failure Take Toll 

of Theatres Trade Rallies From Blow 


Boston — A hurricane, without special 
permission of Sam Goldwyn, smashed 
across New England late Wednesday af- 
ternoon at a clip that reached 186 miles 
an hour in spots. It relegated an already 
severe flood to second billing. 

The hurricane, first in the history of 
New England, was the worst catastrophe 
ever to strike this section. With entire 
districts excommunicado late last week, it 
was impossible to form an early estimate 
of accrued damage. 

Mere than 700 were known to be dead. 
Close to 100,000 w^ere homeless. Damage 
approximating $700,000,000 had been re- 
ported. 

Early efforts by Boxoffice to compile a 
detailed report on theatre damage in the 
New England states were stymied by the 
fact that not even circuits headquartering 
in Boston had established contacts with 
all their theatres by Saturday. 

Low Roofs Help 

It was even more impossible to get in 
communication with scattered exhibitors. 
As reports poured in, it became increas- 
ingly evidence that the wind and deluge 
had effected the widest and most devas- 
tating losses ever experienced by the mo- 
tion picture industry in New England. 

The low-roofed and compact film dis- 
trict was affected only slightly by the 
winds and rain. The National Theatre 
Supply Co. sign blew down, smashing a 
plate glass window. The sign of the Thea- 
tre Service and Supply toppled. Awnings 
were ripped away at the Coulter Premium 
Co. offices, where a plate glass window 
was also shattered. 

Myer Ruttenberg brother of the M-G-M 
cameraman, reported that two sets of 
dishes were broken as a result of the Coul- 
ter accident. There was also some loot- 
ing at this property, he reported. 

The sign atop the towering Gas Build- 
ing at one corner of the district sagged 
and threatened to fall. Parts of Aldington 
St. and Stuart St. were roped off because 
of the danger. 

Drive-in theatres were perhaps the most 
severely hit. The Merrimack Park Auto 
Theatre, recently erected by Joe Cifre and 


Special Equipment 
Necessary 

Boston — Films were among the three 
best retail items in New England this 
week and last. The other two were 
axes and flashlights. 


Boston — The film industry has answered 
the hurricane and flood havoc with re- 
source and fortitude. A last minute Box- 
office survey before press time showed 
that although practically no theatre in 
New England passed through the situa- 
tion unscathed, all but a few were operat- 
ing by Wednesday. 

The Maine and New Hampshire The- 
atres Co. have reroofed the Playhouse in 
Montpelier, Vt., their most badly injured 
house, and were in full operation. Inter- 
state and Levenson circuits, too, have 
rallied, and are operating. The latter 
circuit sustained roof damages to several 
of its houses, four of which were only 
to be communicated with by short wave 
radio for a time. All of the E. M. Loew 
houses are going with the exception of the 
Colonial in Newport, R. I. 

The condition of Irving Finn, employe 
of the Merrimack Park Auto Theatre, in- 
jured when the screen house toppled, was 
reported favorable following an emergency 
operation. 

The survey of damages sustained by 
the M&P houses is still incomplete, with 
John Loftus and others making a personal 
checkup. Practically all of the M&P 


George Swartz, was practically a total 
loss. Three men were injured when the 
screen house fell. 

Irving Finn, brother of Dan Finn of 
Warner and Max Finn of the E. M. Loew 
circuit, underwent an operation Friday 
afternoon because of injuries centering 
around a fractured and disjointed left hip. 
Doctors’ reports were favorable following 
the operation, but Finn’s name was left on 
the danger list. 

Billboards Down 

Another Merrimack Park Auto Theatre 
employe’s name was also on the danger list. 
He suffered a compound fracture of the 
same bone. The man was reported to be 
resting comfortably. 

Flood waters from the adjoining Merri- 
mac River inundated the land. Cifre told 
Boxoffice that nothing could be done to 
the theatre until spring, when it would 
probably be rebuilt. The Merrimack Park 
Auto Theatre had been open only a few 
weeks. 

Heavy loss as a result of the leveling of 
the Merrimack Park Auto Theatre was not 
the only headache that confronted Joe 
Cifre, veteran equipment man. Several 
hundred billboards of the Eagle Advertis- 
ing Co., which Cifre owns, were pancaked 
by the blow. Signs put out by Cifre’s Eagle 


houses are damaged to some degree, it 
was stated. 

Film deliveries are still a headache with 
railway lines and roads remaining clogged 
in many places. 


Loss in Maine 
Comparatively Slight 

Portland — Maine was the luckiest of 
the New England states this week when 
the tropical hurricane merely side-swiped 
the territory, leaving comparatively little 
damage in its wake. Although it leveled 
some 23,000,000 feet of pine timber, tore 
up power lines and temporarily paralyzed 
communication in certain towns through- 
out the state, the havoc it wrought was 
so slight in comparison with other states, 
as to be considered negligible. The effect 
on theatres was that business at almost 
all houses was cut into deeply, many were 
shut down for a period of 20 minutes or 
a half hour at the height of the storm 
Wednesday night and in a few scattered 
instances houses were closed for the eve- 
ning. Emergency batteries prevented panic, 
providing ample light for patrons to be 
able to see. 


Sign Co. were down by the dozens. 

E. M. Loew’s Drive-In Theatre in Lynn 
was closed by the hurricane which blew 
strips of fence across the marshes and 
generally demolished the ozone plant. 
Workers were at once rushed onto the 
scene in an effort to have the ' theatre 
reopen as soon as possible. 

Power failure put E. M. Loew’s open-air 
spot in Providence on the dark list. The 
theatre suffered less damage than that in 
Lynn because of protecting hills. 

The Drive-In situation in Shrewsbury 
was flat. The Drive-In Theatre in Wey- 
mouth, the first such structure in this 
territory, was less damaged. The screen 
building was ripped apart in places by 
the wind, and fences were down. 

The Drive-In in Sangus, third of the 
DiMaura-Guarino ozone spots, suffered. It 
has been under construction these past 
few weeks. 

Piano Missing 

Charles Hodgdon, circuit owner living in 
Marion, lost his piano and most of his 
first-floor furniture when the front of his 
house was ripped away. The bedrooms on 
the second floor were reported to be un- 
touched. Early news from Marion indi- 
cated that Hodgdon’s home was probably 


70 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


AIRLINES PROVE TRANSPORTATION SAVIOR; 
CHAIN HEADS SCATTER TO SURVEY PROPERTY 

Disaster Severely Tolls Reports on Disaster Pile 

Costs Higher and 

Theatres in Connecticut Higher 


New Haven — With flooded cellars, dam- 
aged equipment, torn roofs and loss of 
shows and attendance, Connecticut the- 
atres’ early estimates of the toll of the 
hurricane and flood ran into hundreds of 
thousands of dollars. Immediate loss of 
power and light in New Haven’s neigh- 
borhoods caused suspension of shows from 
one to four days, varying with the section 
of the city. 

Downtown operation in this city, as 
well as in Bridgeport and Hart- 
ford was uninterrupted, however. The 
Palace, Norwich, and the Harris Brothers 
State Theatre, Hartford, suffered the 
worst damage, early reports revealed, and 
first estimates of the loss was placed at 
$5,000 in each, orchestras of both being 
inundated. Warner’s Capitol, Springfield, 
was damaged to approximately the same 
amount. Circle, South Manchester, was 
also flooded, as were cellars of numerous 
other houses in Madison, Saybrook, Guil- 
ford, Hartford, East Hartford, Norwich, 
New London, Springfield, Meriden, West- 
port and other towns. As fall of the weak- 
ened Colt dyke was predicted, Hartford 
theatres feared further flood ravage. How- 


the only one standing in the neighborhood. 

Harry Segal, head of Imperial Pictures 
of New England, was headed toward Bos- 
ton on the New York train when the hur- 
ricane reached its peak. It took six hours 
for the train to reach New Haven from 
New York, a run generally taking about a 
third of that time. Segal drove into Bos- 
ton from New Haven Thursday morning 
with Joseph Levine. 

The Segal-Levine automobile was said to 
be the first vehicle through to Boston 
from New Haven. Where fallen trees and 
other debris blocked the highways, Le- 
vine had to cross ditches and fields be- 
fore he could regain the road. 

Segal told this publication that it was 
the first time in his life that he ever saw 
a boat and a train in collision. The inci- 
dent took place in Stonington, Connecti- 
cut, where a ship was swept onto the 
railroad tracks by tidal wave. 

Paul Morris, Fairhaven exhibitor, had 
to swim from his home to safety. When 
he returned, so he told Boxoffice, nothing 
remained of the house but a bathtub. A 
yacht was near where the house should 
have been, notwithstanding the fact that 
Morris lived seven miles from the water. 

Morris came to the film district Friday 
after working 48 hours under martial law, 
removing injured and dead. At the time 


ever, as Boxoffice went to press, report 
came that the waters were subsiding. Eli 
Porter and H. H. Moskowitz of the New 
York Loew office, together with Harry F. 
Shaw, division manager of the Poli houses, 
made a survey of the theatres by circui- 
tous routes to determine the extent of 
the damage. 

Rockville, one of the most severely af- 
fected towns, Willimantic and Stafford 
Springs, were completely cut off from tele- 
phone communication or transportation for 
days following the onset of the hurricane, 
and it was impossible to estimate what 
loss had been incurred. 

Sam Rosen of Rosen’s Film Deliveries 
and Larry Decker of Decker’s both had 
harrowing experiences and hazardous trav- 
els on roundabout routes. 

Finn’s, Jewett City, was believed to be 
badly damaged, but no definite informa- 
tion could be obtained over the weekend 
following the occurrence of the hurricane. 
The same was true of the Princess, Rock- 
ville. Meantime, Norwich and New Lon- 
don remained for more than a week under 
martial law with an 8:30 curfew. 


he left, he said, over 100 had been lodged 
temporarily in a Fairhaven school house. 

Jimmy O’Brien, sales representative in 
New England for the International Seat 
Co., was relegated to the injured list by 
the hurricane. O’Brien was trying to tie 
up a balky screen door. The wind jerked 
the door out of his grasp. The string 
ripped a deep gash in one finger. 

William Hawkins, Capitol Theatre Sup- 
ply Co. salesman, was marooned in Provi- 
dence by the flood. Hawkins was driving 
through the city when a gust of wind 
turned over a Railway Express Co. truck 
directly in front of him. 

Hawkins thought it was about time to 
head toward home, but flood waters caught 
him before he could get away. He locked 
the car door and rushed to a building 
near the Hotel Biltmore. From a second- 
floor vantage point, he watched the ma- 
chine which disappeared gradually until 
nothing but its radio- mast was visible. 

Also on the Providence front was Vaughn 
R. O’Neill, assistant manager at Loew’s 
State in Boston. O’Neill drove to the city 
Thursday afternoon with Walter Kessler, 
Loew’s Orpheum assistant. Kessler return- 
ed, leaving O’Neill to search the city for 
his parents. O’Neill was not heard of 
until late Friday afternoon when word 
(Continued on next page) 


By BRAD ANGIER 

Boston — Additional flood and hurricane 
news became available to Boston film dis- 
trict Saturday, putting an ever-darkening 
aspect on the situation throughout New 
England. 

Reports from Peterboro, where Warren 
Nichols’ theatre was inundated, placed 
damage in the small New Hampshire town 
at above $1,000,000. 

Circuit heads, in many instances unable 
to contact all their outlying theatres, left 
by automobile and plane to survey dam- 
age. Joseph Vogel, Loew’s executive, ar- 
rived in Boston by New York plane Sat- 
urday and proceeded over the road to 
Providence. He left later in the day by 
plane to New York. 

Loew’s State in Providence was flooded 
by the combined efforts of the hurricane, 
river floods, and a tidal wave. A man 
seeking shelter in an automobile parked 
in the rear of the theatre was crushed 
to death by falling bricks from an adjoin- 
ing building. 

E. C. Erkman of Loew’s construction 
department arrived in Providence Satur- 
day and was still there Sunday. H. M. 
Addison, Loew’s northeastern divisional 
manager who reached Providence by plane 
and car from Rochester, N. Y„ was still 
supervising salvaging efforts early this 
week. 

Used Abandoned Trestle 

The fact that at least 25,000 miles of 
New England Telephone and Telegraph 
Co. wires were still down Sunday made it 
impossible for theatremen to communicate 
with dozens of outlying theatres. 

Herman Konnis, Universal salesman and 
president of the local Motion Picture Sales- 
mens Club, reached Boston Saturday. He 
had not been able to contact either his 
home or his office since Wednesday. 

Konnis was temporarily- marooned in 
Bethel, Vt. He managed to leave this town 
by driving over an abandoned railroad 
trestle. He was blocked again about three- 
quarters of a mile outside of Montpelier. 

Konnis and several other motorists tried 
(Continued on page 73) 


At Least 186 Miles 
To Fly Back 

Boston — The hurricane accomplished 
at least one good. The green lice that 
have been infesting the film district 
of late were blown elsewhere. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


71 


Hurricane's Full Damage 

As Yet Remains Unknown 


(Continued from preceding page) 
came that both he and his parents were 
safe. 

O'Neill and Walter Murphy, assistant 
treasurer at Loew’s State, returned to 
Boston Friday in H. M. Addison’s car. 
Murphy had previously driven the Loew’s 
northeastern division manager to Provi- 
dence from Boston airport where the lat- 
ter landed Friday from New York. Addi- 
son had hurried to the latter spot from 
Rochester N. Y. 

Loew’s State in Providence was report- 
ed Friday to be inundated by flood waters 
reaching the screen. Two men from Loew’s 
construction department in New York were 
with Addison, surveying the damage. 

Roofs Gone 

Interstate Theatres told Boxoffice that 
they had 36 houses operating Tuesday 
night and none Wednesday night. 

A penthouse and a 24-sheet board were 
blown off the Revere Theatre. Interstate 
said that failure of lights was the pri- 
mary reason for the majority of the clos- 
ings. Many Interstate houses were again 
operating on Friday, although not always 
with the picture originally booked. 

Tire roof of Max and Joseph Levenson’s 
Metropolitan Theatre in Leominster was 
tom off by the wind. The penthouse of 
the Quincy Theatre in Quincy was also 
wafted away. 

Max Levenson, head of the Motion Pic- 
ture’s Greatest Year Campaign, told Eox- 
office that he resorted to short wave 
amateur radio communication to get in 
touch with Martha’s Vineyard where the 
circuit operates four houses. Word was 
that the quartet were doing business 
Friday. 

Elsewhere along the Levenson front, a 
water tower was blown off of the roof of 
the Coolidge Comer Theatre in Brook- 
line, while a part of the roof of the new 
Village Theatre in Brookline is missing. 

Vermont Unreported 

J. J. Ford, head of Maine and New 
Hampshire Theatres Co., informed Box- 
office Friday that the circuit had been 
unable to form any estimate of theatre 


We Repair Flood Damage 
WILLIAM S. KOSTER 

■SEAT RENOVATION | 

12 Piedmont St. — LIBerty 3803 — Boston 


It's All in the 
Viewpoint 

Boston — “First it was the Democratic 
administration," a local exhibitor 
quipped here this week. “Now it's 
nature." 


damage. Vermont, where the affiliated 
chain operates a number of houses re- 
mained unreported Friday. 

The majority of known losses to the 
Maine and New Hampshire Theatre situ- 
ations seemed to be slight, Ford said. 
Marquee damage was foremost. 

Metal and brick finishing atop the Ham- 
ilton Theatre in Dorchester was swirled 
elsewhere by the hurricane. A display 
frame was also damaged at the Frank 
Lydon house. 

The Capitol Theatre in Springfield was 
temporarily closed late last week because 
of lack of power. Flood also prevailed 
there. 

Power failure put numerous other New 
England situations out of business. In- 
cluded in this list were such Metropoli- 
tan Boston theatres as those in Brook- 
line, Acton, Farmingham, Natick, May- 
nard, Concord, Winchester, Arlington, 
Needham, Mills, Dedham, Watertown, 
Chelsea and Walpole. 

Richard Cohen, operator of the State 
in Saugus, considered operating his the- 
atre by means of a storage-battery hook- 
up. He later abandoned the idea as be- 
ing too expensive in comparison with the 
number of potential patrons. 

Warren Nichols Flooded 

Newsreels on the hurricane and flood 
were rushed to the Trans Lux by plane 
at the urgent request of Manager A1 
Lauder. 

The hurricane, which resulted in in- 
creased business for the newly opened 
Trans Lux link, broke a skylight on the 
Washington St. house. It bent a two and 
a half inch iron angle on the roof al- 
most double. Plate glass windows across 
the street on the Bond Clothing store 
broke and threatened the theatre. 

The Gem Theatre in Peterboro, N. H„ 
became an island under the influence of 
flood waters. Warren Nichols wasn’t quite 
sure whether he was fortunate or not. 
Fire swept through much of the remainder 
of the town. 


Aaron Rosenberg, theatre insurance 
man, said that communication with Phila- 
delphia had assured him that his house 
there had not been in danger. Rosenberg 
had other worries, though. A truck line, 
which he took over about six months ago, 
was undergoing plenty of trouble. Latest 
reports are that all the vehicles were safe. 

Someone asked Jack Sharpels, film 
transportation man, if his New Bedford 
home was damaged. 

“I don’t know,” Sharpels is reported to 
have answered. “I haven’t been able to 
find it yet.” Sharpel’s wife escaped from 
the house before it was washed out to sea. 

Frank Perry, operator of the Orpheum 
in Foxboro, told Boxoffice that the only 
damage to his theatre was to a French 
door. The double door was caught by the 
wind. A check held it at the top, so that 
it broke from the butt. Nothing but the 
casing was left. 

Perry reported that the buses on his 
transportation line were safe after minor 
mishaps. Most of the gas pumps in the 
locality, being electrically motorized, were 
not working after the power cessation. 
Perry had one hand pump, however, and 
sold thousands of gallons of gas. 

Martha W. Ferris, for years secretary of 
the Film Board of Trade, went home 
Wednesday night to find a tree resting on 
her house. 

Les Bendslev reported that the Com- 
munity Theatre in Wellesley was unharm- 
ed. In addition, electric lines to the the- 
atre were not broken. 

Gives Up a Seat 

One of Les Bendslev’s main difficulties 
as a result of the deluge was in reaching 
New York on film business Thursday. 
With the aid of Arthur K. Howard, busi- 
ness manager of the Independent Exhibi- 
tors, Inc., he managed to get a plane. 
He reached New York before Howard was 
able to contact his destination by phone. 

TWA, United, Eastern, and American 
Airlines carried approximately 2,000 pas- 
sengers from Boston to New York Thurs- 
day. Other thousands were unable to make 
reservations. Private planes took still oth- 
ers at prices upwards to, and from, $33.00 
apiece. 

William S. Koster, the seat renovation 
expert, was among those maneuvering a 
plane reservation Thursday. The earliest 
accommodation he could get was on the 
ship leaving the East Boston airport at 
8:30 p. m. D.S.T. Koster was at the air- 
port to catch the plane, only to turn over 
•his reservation to a stranger who had a 
seriously ill child near New York. 

“My business was urgent,” Koster said, 
“but not as urgent as that.” 

The Orpheum in Somerville was rele- 
gated to the ozone list when its roof caved 
in. Wilbur Peterson has sent out can- 


FLOOD! 

HURRICANE! 


NOW’S THE TIME TO 


SERVICE 


SPEED 


ECONOMY 


72 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 




Air Lines Become Major 

Means of Transportation 


cellation notices to distributors and supply 
houses, informing them that the Or- 
pheum will be closed for repairs for a 
period approximating three months. 

The roof of the Waldorf Theatre in 
Lynn, recently rejuvenated by Warner at 
a cost close to $20,000, was reported de- 
molished. 

Trees were uprooted by the thousands. 
Palling timber damaged the rear of the 
Capitol in Arlington. Early unconfirmed 
reports were that houses in Montpelier, 
Vt., were also damaged by trees. 

The attorney general’s office in Massa- 
chusetts ruled that “cities and towns are 
responsible for the removal of trees orig- 
inally planted in the so-called highway 
layer. They are not responsible for fallen 
trees on private property. No private land- 
owner is responsible for damage done by 
his own trees.” 

The Fenway was perhaps the hardest hit 
of theatres in Boston proper. A section 
of Massachusetts Ave. was roped off for a 
time because of the danger from the huge 
Fenway Theatre vertical electrical sign 
which toppled. The mishap aided in 
spraying a considerable section of Mas- 
sachusetts Ave. with broken glass. All 
that remained of the sign Thursday night 
was “AY.” This was gone Friday. 

Tidal Wave 

The hurricane which raked the entire 
New England section, was Boston’s first 
hurricane. It was the worst storm ever to 
whip over this part of the country. New 
England is not likely to experience an- 
other such storm, according to the United 
States Weather Bureau. 

The wind reached a velocity of 186 
miles an hour, according to Harvard 
Meterological Observatory. A tidal wave 
struck Cape Cod at approximately 3:45 
p. m. Wednesday, isolating the section. 

Charles Brent, Oklahoman now con- 
nected with Specialty Pictures here, watch- 
ed the influx of water while parked on 
a pier at Onset. He drove from the pier 
when water started to cover it. He parked 
again on a knoll and continued to view 
the heightening tide. 

Brent, together with Mrs. Brent, 
reached Boston Friday afternoon after 
managing to circumvent submerged roads 
which turned more than a few automo- 
biles into submarines. 

Brent reported that power failure closed 
the Onset Theatre, A1 Worrall’s house in 
the Cape Cod community of the same 
name. 

The water was nine feet deep at one 
time in the Warr Theatre in Wareham, 
this publication was told. A theatre in 
Buzzards Bay was also flooded by the tide. 

Floods were being awaited Friday at the 
Victory Theatre in Holyoke. River floods 
two years ago reached the marquee of the 


The Right Kind 
Of Policy 

Boston — Among the happiest New 
England theatre men this week is one 
who has discovered that his insurance 
policy contains a hurricane clause. 


house, recently taken over by Pat Magee 
and Roy E. Heffner for opening this fall. 
Seats had been removed from the theatre 
Friday. The only damage then was the 
backing of sewerage water into the base- 
ment. 

The wind tore the coping from the roof 
of the Arlington St. building housing the 
accessories branch of the National Screen 
Service. Workmen were replacing it Fri- 
day. 

The Dirigol, Graphic Theatre circuit 
house in Ellsworth, Maine, closed because 
of lack of power. 

The Keith in Fairhaven was out with no 
screen or power. The house was said to 
be severely damaged. 

Deliveries Stymied 

With many sections of New England 
entirely cut off, film deliveries became a 
practically insurmountable problem in 
many instances. In addition, several ex- 
changes were reported to be short on 
positives because of lack of train service 
from New York. 

Decker’s Film Exchange Transport and 
other delivery services were picking up 
film shipments last week for delivery when 
possible. 

Early reports were that all trunk lines 
in Maine were open to traffic. New Hamp- 
shire was badly hit between the Merrimac 
and Connecticut Rivers, practically all 
roads in that area being blocked. Traffic 
could move as far north as Concord by 
going through Lawrence, but the easterly 
section was blocked at Ossipee. 

Salesmen Make Deliveries 

Cape Cod was entirely cut out from the 
mainland until Friday. Vermont could not 
be reached up to Friday. Central and 
eastern Massachusetts were generally iso- 
lated. Only certain sections of Rhode 
Island and Connecticut could be contacted 
from Boston and these only laboriously. 

Distributors had to rely on air travel to 
reach many points throughout the terri- 
tory. American Airlines lifted its fran- 
( Continued on next page) 


(Continued from page 71) 
to circumvent a fallen tree by going 
through a cemetery. Konnis missed the 
cemetery exit. His car was caught in a 
ditch when he tried to back up, so he 
climbed in with another motorist and rode 
into the Vermont capital. 

When he returned to the cemetery the 
next morning with a wrecker, he found 
that 34 trees had fallen in the place. Not 
one injured his machine. 

William Horan, Paramount salesman, 
was another film man who had a narrow 
escape. Horan was caught in Providence 
by the flood. He managed to reach the 
Biltmore, but was nearly exhausted in 
swimming across to the Narragansett where 
he had a room. 

The Scenic Theatre in Keene, N. H., 
Fred Sharby house, was reported damaged 
by falling trees. Observers stated that the 
sidewalks were lying up against the front 
of the building. 

Duffy Lewis told this publication that 
his Provincetown Theatre at the tip of 
Cape Cod was flooded. Lewis’s new auto- 
mobile which he won a few weeks ago at 
a drawing at Suffolk Downs, was in a 
garage during the height of the storm. 
The back of the building went and the 
windows in the machine were broken and 
the body was severely scratched. 

Washed to Sea 

There were unconfirmed rumors Satur- 
day that the Casino Theatre at Narra- 
gansett Pier in Rhode Island had been 
washed to sea. 

The Lyric in Riverside, Mass., was said 
to be partially submerged. Si Goff oper- 
ates the house. The Strand, Archie Sil- 
verman theatre in Providence, was also 
under water. 

Indications that flood conditions in 
northern New England were going back to 
normal was indicated by the report from 
Pat Magee that water in the basement of 
the Victory Theatre in Lowell was down 
to three feet Saturday. This represented 
a five-foot drop from the day before. 

The Bradley in Putnam, Conn., was out 
with no power. 

Theatres in Manchester, N. H., having 
70 hours of darkness recorded for them 
were the Vitaphone, Empire, Granite 
Square, Lyric, Globe, Modern, Palace and 
State. Four of these houses are links in 
the M. A. Shea chain. 

Morris Pouzzner’s Central, Lyric and 
(Continued on next page) 


CAPIT0LIZE’ 

DEPENDABILITY 



CAPITOL THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY 


NEW ENGLAND ORGANIZATION FOR 
NEW ENGLAND EXHIBITORS 

28-30 PIEDMONT STREET • BOSTON. MASS. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


73 



Air Lines Provide 
Needed Transport 

(Continued from preceding page) 

United in Westerly, R. I., were reported 
under water. Known dead in the Wester- 
ly region alone had kited to 104 by Sat- 
urday. Many people were still missing. 
Decker Maintains Service 

Train service between New York and 
Boston was resumed Saturday when buses 
were employed to bridge areas where 
tracks were demolished. It took from eight 
to nine hom-s to travel the route which 
is ordinarily run in five hours. 

Planes set an all-time international rec- 
ord for air traffic between two cities, 
when Thursday and Friday, 3,500 passen- 
gers were transported between New York 
and Boston in 100 flights. 

With transportation facilities close to a 
standstill, Decker’s Film Exchange Trans- 
fer trucks continued on 24-hour-a-day 
schedules to keep pickups and deliveries 
moving throughout the territory. Every 
haul went through, Decker told Boxof- 
fice. No trucks had been reported lost up 
to Saturday. 

Open-Air Pancaked 

A1 Herman, Universal divisional mana- 
ger, was marooned on the train 27 hours 
on attempting to proceed here from New 
York. 

A tree fell in front of the Opera House 
in Lebanon, N. H. 

The Capitol in Springfield was report- 
ed flooded to the seventh row. A make- 
shift open-air theatre in Springfield was 
pancaked. 

Early information from Montpelier, Vt., 
was to the effect that the roof of the 
Playhouse had been severely damaged. 
This theatre is operated by the Maine 
and New Hampshire Theatres Co. 

Meyer Rosen, film district poster man, 
was on his way from Providence to Bos- 
ton Wednesday. He encountered Lew 
Frey, operator of the Roosevelt in Val- 
ley Falls, Rhode Island, working with 
others trying to push trees off the road. 

“Give Me a Sailor” 

The ladies and men’s room in the Bijou 
at Springfield were filled to the ceiling 
with water. A1 Anders recently put in 
the quarters at a cost approximating 
$7,000. 

Raymond Title’s Art in Springfield was 
reached by flood waters. The Jefferson, 
Louis Cohen house, was flooded. 

Flood waters immersed the York and 
the Capitol in Athol. Both theatres are 
operated by Abe Garbose. The York was 
playing, appropriately enough, “Give Me 
a Sailor.” 

The Town Hall in Orange, Phil Markell 


He Would Have 
Come Back 

Boston — And there's the instance of 
the cautious exhibitor who decided not 
to go to Florida until the hurricane 
season was over. 


house, was flooded. The Athol-Orange dis- 
trict was one of the hardest hit in Mas- 
sachusetts. A 100-mile-an-hour wind and 
rushing flood waters cut it off from the 
outside world for three days. The only 
communication was by amateur short wave. 

Jerry Tabb of the Theatre Service and 
Supply Co. was standing outside the film 
district equipment shop during the height 
of the hurricane. Tabb was watching the 
wind bend the sign atop the nearby Gas 
Building. Edward Comi yelled at him from 
across the street. The next instant the 
Theatre and Service Supply Co. sign 
dropped a few inches behind Tabb. 

George Beede, Westboro Theatre own- 
er, suffered roof damage at both his home 
and at the Strand. Failure of power 
handicapped restoration efforts. The 
Strand will probably be closed two weeks. 

Providence Flood High 

Martial law became widely spread 
throughout New England over the week- 
end. Damaged areas were closed, to sight- 
seers, as highways were opened. Fire dan- 
ger increased among the wreckage. Loot- 
ers were shot in some instances. 

As additional reports reached the weath- 
er bureau, the department reported that 
wind velocity a 100 miles or more from 
the center of the hurricane was greater 
than at the center. This high speed raked 
increased danger. 

In Providence, water reached the three 
globes which take the place of a marquee 
outside of Fay’s Theatre, Edward Fay 
house. An air-conditioner was blown off 
the roof of the Majestic, another Fay 
house. Carpets of the Carlton, recently 
taken over from Fay by Loew’s, Inc., were 
out drying late last week. Water reached 
the arcades of the Empire. 


(Because of conditions, it was impossible 
for this publication to check many of the 
above reports before they were rushed to 
Kansas City to meet publication deadlines.) 


Portland Visitors 

Portland — Filmrow visitors: Harvey 
Bragdon, who operates Odeon Hall at 
Bethel, Me.; Roland Stanley of Kezar 
Falls, and a Mr. Bamberger, formerly of 
the Paramount Theatre, Springfield, Mass. 


19th lor "Sonata" 

Boston — It’s the regular story at the 
Fine Arts. The George Kraska house has 
again held over “Moonlight Sonata.” The 
Ignatz Paderewski vehicle is now in its 
19th week. 


Guaranteed Seat Salvage 


Why Buy New? 

WILLIAM S. KOSTER 


WILLIAM S. KOSTER 

SEAT RENOVATION 1 


| SEAT RENOVATION | 

12 Piedmont St. — LIBerty 3803 — Boston 


12 Piedmont St. — LIBerty 3803 — Boston 


Hurricane's Full 
Damage Unknown 

(Continued from preceding page) 

chise for 24 hours, inviting all lines with 
equipment at Newark, N. J., to operate 
between there and Boston. 

Arthur Sharby, northern New England 
circuit owner, was marooned in the dis- 
trict Thursday and asking incoming 
truckmen for news regarding his outlying 
theatres. 


Staffs Make Deliveries 

Tom Bailey and Edward X. Callahan at 
20th-Fox detailed poster boys and salesmen 
to deliver film in private automobiles. 
Other exchanges followed suit. 

James O’Brien, business manager of 
Theatrical Stage Employes, told Boxof- 
fice that local stagehands had not been 
called upon to alter their routines be- 
cause of the storm. 

Philip Lavine, general manager in New 
England for the Philip Smith circuit, told 
Boxoffice that damages to Smith’s New 
England houses were nil. The Strand and 
Broadway in South Boston were kept 
closed Wednesday evening, mainly as a 
precautionary measure. Both the Strand 
in Ipswich and the Greenwich in East 
Greenwich, R. I., were darkened because 
of power failure. The Greenwich was still 
closed Friday. 

Probably the most severely damaged 
theatre in the E. M. Loew circuit, with the 
exception of the independent tycoon’s 
open-air theatres in Lynn and Providence, 
was the Colonial in Newport. Early in- 
formation received at the Tremont St. 
offices of the chain was that the roof of 
the Newport situation was torn off. 

The Capitol in Providence was closed 
because of lack of power, the Loew office 
told Boxoffice. The Ware in Beverly was 
out for the same reason. So were the 
Liberty and State in Webster. E. M. 
Loew’s Capitol in Pawtucket was said to 
be the only theatre running in the Rhode 
Island city late last week. 

Skylights of two local E. M. Loew houses, 
the Gayety and the National, were broken 
by the hurricane. 

Power Dislocates Many 

Much of the Western Massachusetts 
Theatres circuit of Nathan and Sam Gold- 
stein was temporarily darkened by the 
catastrophe. On the closed list, because of 
lack of power, were the Strand and Vic- 
tory in Holyoke, the Strand in Westfield, 
and the Paramount, Broadway, and Ar- 
cade in Springfield. 

John Glazier, Western Massachusetts 
Theatres, Inc., Boston executive, told this 
publication Friday that he had been un- 
able to contact the Calvin and Plaza in 
Northampton. The theatres were believed 
closed. David Fessenden Perkins, stage 
and theatre veteran and manager in the 
isolated college town for the Goldstein 
interests, had not been heard from. 

The Herman Rifkin office also reported 
Friday that it had been unable to get in 
communication with Rifkin ’s Academy 


74 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


Theatre in Northampton. Flood conditions 
were believed to be severe there. 

Water flooded the basement of the RKO 
Keith’s in Lowell last week but did not 
put the house out of commission. 

Exclusive Boxoffice Survey 

This publication launched an extensive 
survey of Greater Boston theatres follow- 
ing hurricane damage. Although theatres 
in the city suffered little damage compared 
to that incurred elsewhere in New Eng- 
land there were few theatres that do not 
have to undergo repairs as a result of 
the blow. 

Glass in the new Metropolitan Theatre 
marquee in Boston was shattered. A safety 
line was stretched along Tremont St. at 
one time. 

The sheathing of the Allston Theatre, 
M&P house, was ripped off by the wind. 

The Embassy in Waltham, another M&P 
house, reported no damages. Signs were 
boarded up for protection. 

The Franklin Park Theatre, the Exeter 
Street Theatre, and the Washington Street 
Olympia informed Boxoffice that they 
were left comparatively undamaged. 

The University in Cambridge, Stanley 
Sumner house, stated that the only dam- 
age suffered was to patronage. The house 
continued operating. Hundreds of tele- 
phone calls were received from prospec- 
tive customers. 

Everything But Mortgage 

Glass was shattered in the skylight of 
the Codman Square Theatre in Dorches- 
ter. The Criterion on 1120 Columbus Ave- 
nue reported no damages. So did the 
Davis Square in Somerville. 

The Dudley Theatre in Roxbury stated 
that one pane of glass was the only cas- 
ualty. Patronage fell off severely, how- 
ever. The Egleston Theatre at 3091 Wash- 
ington St. declared itself on the okay list. 

Wires were broken on the vertical sign 
of the Egyptian Theatre in Brighton. Sev- 
eral small signs were brought down by the 
wind. 

The roof was reported blown off of the 
Gorman’s Theatre in Farmingham. The 
house is a part of the estate of George A. 
Giles, deceased local president of the 
MPTOA. 

Another theatre man informed this pub- 
lication that the hurricane blew everything 
off of his theatre but the mortgage. 

The Gem in East Boston reported no 
damage although, this publication was in- 
formed, there were severe casualties all 
around. 

Leonard Kraska and William Harvey 
gave the Fine Arts a quick going over with 
the result that only a few small signs were 
dislodged. The intimate theatre, then 
starting its 18th week of “Moonlight 
Sonata,” reported that over one-third of 
its seats were taken on the hurricane 
night, an exceptional showing. 

Scollay Square Emptied 

Local Shubert theatres experienced only 
minor damage. 

The Capitol in Arlington had no power 
and no show Wednesday and Thursday. 
The house went back on the active list 
Friday evening. Several signs were down 
and falling trees did some damage to the 
theatre rear. 

The Capitol in Allston reported a clean 


Pat J. Martin , Manager 
Of Norwalk Rialto , Dies 

Norwalk, Conn. — Patrick J. Martin, 69, 
manager of the Warner Rialto Theatre 
in this city since 1931, died September 
20. Martin, who has been associated with 
the amusement field for 40 years, came to 
this city from Danbury where he had man- 
aged the Capitol Theatre and the Taylor 
Opera House. A delegation of Connecticut 
theatre managers attended the funeral. 


Schwartz Clears Site 

Thomaston, Conn. — Robert Schwartz, 
operator of the Paramount, has completed 
demolition of buildings on his new 750- 
seat theatre site at Park and Main Sts., 
and will build in the spring. The new 
house will have a Colonial front. 


Boston Is Littered 
By Smashed Glass 

Boston — Glass breakage formed the 
larger part of the hurricane damage in 
Boston. Contractors were hard put to keep 
abreast of the more urgent orders. One 
exhibitor arrived home to learn that his 
wife was peeved because a glass-replace- 
ment concern had not fulfilled her request 
to send over a man at once to estimate 
the cost of putting in a pane of window 
glass. 

A lumber company got a call from a 
theatre owner to look over two trees which 
had blown down on his property. He want- 
ed to know what price the company would 
quote him for the timber. 


bill all around. The Uptown and the 
Paramount joined. An iron shutter was 
blown off of the Modern. The Lancaster 
went through the blow without a mishap, 
after “everything had been locked down.” 

Awnings were ripped off the Casino on 
Hanover St. Several broken shutters and 
windows were incurred at Max Michaels 
Columbia, and somebody said that was 
from applause. 

The Beacon Theatre was not damaged, 
although spectators feared at times that 
scaffolding on the new Court House might 
be hurled against it. 

The entire Scollay Square section was 
menaced by the 400-foot-high staging on 
the new Court House building. The scaf- 
folding swayed 15 feet from the side of 
the building at times. Scollay Square was 
roped off. The Scollay Square Theatre, 
the Howard Atheneum, and the Rialto 
were closed Wednesday evening as a re- 
sult. 

Sam Liftman, formerly with Joe Cifre 
at the National Theatre Supply Co. and 
now proprietor of a flower shop at the 
Motor Mart corner of the film district, 
had a plate glass window broken. 

Building Inspectors On Job 

The marquee of the Majestic, Herman 
Rifkin house in Holyoke, was reported 
down. 

The management of the Globe in Bos- 
ton reported that house and the adjoin- 
ing Stuart undamaged in any great de- 
gree. 

William H. McLaughlin’s theatre in 
Stoneham was dark Wednesday evening 
and Thursday afternoon because of power 
failure. 

Window and marquee damage was re- 
ported at the Hollis in Farmingham, new 
E. M. Loew theatre. The Wharf Theatre 
in Provincetown was reported hard hit. 

Lights were cut off in Middleboro 
Wednesday, preventing the operation of 


Our Work Guaranteed 

WILLIAM S. KOSTER 

| SKAT INNOVATION | 

12 Piedmont St. — LIBerty 3803 — Boston 


the Key Theatre, Magee-Heffner situation. 
The Middleboro Theatre in the same com- 
munity, operated by Charles Hodgdon, was 
also dark. 

Building inspectors examined marquees 
at a number of Boston theatres Thurs- 
day and pronounced them safe. 

Lew Frey closed the Roosevelt at Val- 
ley Falls, R. I., because of power failure. 

Supply houses were in the dark last 
week as to damages to theatres through- 
out the territory. Reports were almost 
completely lacking because of flood and 
hurricane isolations. A heavy influx of 
business is expected, however. 

E. M. Loew, independent circuit owner, 
was on his way back to Boston from 
North Adams when the hurricane struck. 
He was temporarily trapped in Green- 
field. 

Sam Wernick, Chicopee Falls exhibitor, 
left Boston for Springfield Wednesday af- 
ternoon. He was unable to proceed beyond 
Palmer. He returned to Boston. 

Numbers of film men living no further 
away than suburban Boston stayed at the 
Statler and at other hotels in town 
Wednesday night. 

The Newton home of Mickey Alperin, 
local film distributor, was damaged by a 
falling tree. 

The upright sign of the Oriental in Mat- 
tapan was torn down by the wind. 


(The preceding - information has been 
checked wherever possible by this publica- 
tion. Because of existing conditions, it can- 
not be guaranteed to be authentic in every 
instance.) 


Pathe Newsreel Features 

Hollywood — Featuring the current RKO 
Pathe newsreel is Prime Minister Cham- 
berlain’s takeoff by plane for his parley 
with Adolf Hitler and the disastrous hur- 
ricane which swept the eastern seaboard. 


Theatre Seats Salvaged 

WILLIAM S. KOSTER 

| SKAT RENOVATION j 

12 Piedmont St. — LIBerty 3803 — Boston 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


75 



^HE first hurricane to hit these parts 

has left film people, as well as other 
inhabitants, aghast and bewildered, but 
first stock-taking shows that in actual 
property damage theatres suffered a 
negligible portion of the appalling loss 
. . . A special Providence seems to have 
kept the roll call intact, too . . . Loss of 
business was, of course, a huge item, as 
power and light and means of transporta- 
tion were cut off for from a day to over 
a week in various cities ... As soon as 
shows were resumed, however, and peo- 
ple could get to them, they proved their 
value in bringing relief of nervous tension 
and forgetfulness of the tragedy to 
thousands. 

The Meadow Street heroes were Sam 
Rosen and Larry Decker of the film de- 
liveries. Sam “got through’’ miraculously 
by means of covering roundabout, ex- 
tremely dangerous, back routes and talk- 
ing state police into letting him by — for 
several nights he took no time off for sleep 
. . . If the show didri’t go on, it certainly 
ivasn’t because the delivery service didn’t 
do everything humanly possible and take 
tremendous risks . . . Larry Decker was in 
Madison on the eventful W ednesday after- 
noon. In Saybrook, after some two hours of 
tough riding, he witnessed the lifting of 
part of the Saybrook Theatre roof ... In 
the middle of the Saybrook bridge the top 
of his own truck blew off. When he had 
salvaged enough of the pieces to cover the 
film, he tried the shore road, but was 
stopped at the Lieutenant River . . . Back 
on the other route, it took him more than 
three hours to get through to New Lon- 
don, his home town. Meantime Meadow 
Street watched anxiously for Larry’s re- 
turn, which was delayed to Friday noon 
... He reported then that the Orpheum, 
Danielson, was the only house open on his 
route. 

Lou Wechsler of United Artists received 
a telegram from Arthur W. Kelly, vice- 
president of the company, asking for in- 
formation on a train which had been de- 
railed at Westerly and carried among its 
passengers Arthur W. Kelly jr., en route 
to the Fessenden School in Boston . . . 
The Wechslers started out immediately by 
car to fetch Master Kelly back to New 
Haven, but after a treacherous trip dis- 
covered a special bus had taken him on 
to Boston. 

The State, South Manchester , was able 
to hook up for power with the Cheney 
Mills ... In Thompsonville a hookup was 
made with the fire department . . . Some- 
one’s once snappy cruiser was blown up 
and parked by the wind alongside the 
Strand, Mystic . . . Palace, New Britain, is 
the o?ily house in the state to make its own 
power . . . Erie Wright’s 16-foot speed 
runabout is gone without a trace . . . The 
traveling M-G-M marionette show on 



Let Us Make An Estimate 

WILLIAM S. KOSTER 

| SEAT RENOVATION i 

12 Piedmont St. — LIBerty 3803 — Boston 


“Marie Antoinette” received a wet recep- 
tion and remained marooned in Spring- 
field for some time. 

Philip Schwartz of the Parkway, Bridge- 
port, narrowly escaped disaster when a 
tree crashed across the space he had that 
moment driven his car out of . . . Sales- 
men of the various exchanges were 
pressed into service delivering prints on 
Friday afternoon . . . Estimate is that fully 
80 per cent of the theatres in the state 
lost from one to three days of operation. 

Leo Schapiro almost gloatingly reported 
that the Guilford Theatre is now in Madi- 
son and will no longer have to follow New 
Haven . . . And the storm obligingly ripped 
down a tree which would have cost him 
$100 to remove . . . Believe it or not, 
Michael Tomasino had “The Hurricane” 
booked for the Victory on the very day the 
real thing broke. 

Hy Fine, M&P division manager, had a 
great adventure getting back to Boston 
from these parts. He set out from 
Springfield by train but service was inter- 
rupted . . . Back to New Haven, he tried 
the shore line, but this train was also 
sidetracked. Finally, he succeeded in get- 
ting to New York from New Haven, and 
flew to Boston . . . Last minute change 
of locale for the B-41 exchange employes’ 
party was necessitated by severe damage 
to the Pavilion Royale and all of Savin 
Rock. 

Theatre News, New Haven County 
amusement weekly, will have an annual 
Moviegoers Manual, a compilation of all 
sorts of information on pictures and other 
forms of entertainment, states Editor Jack 
Shaefer. 

Shirley Boylston, 22-year-old secretary 
to Harold Eskin, who forged and cashed 
three checks for $75 each, was given a 
suspended jail sentence in superior court 
last week and put on probation. J. E. 
Donat, brother of the actor, put up a 
$1,000 bond for the girl and arrangements 
have been made for repayment of the 
money. 

Visitors on the street: Herbert MacIn- 
tyre, RKO district manager; R. M. Joyce 
of Unionville, Collinsville; Eli Porter and 
H. H. Moskowitz of New York Loew’s. 


Huston Is Stranded 

Boston — Walter Huston, stage and 
screen star, and the supporting cast in 
“Knickerbocker Holiday” were reported 
stranded Saturday somewhere near Hart- 
ford. The play was to have opened at the 
Shubert here Monday. Manager A. G. 
Munro announced its indefinite postpone- 
ment. 


Old Chairs Made New 

WILLIAM S. KOSTER 

SEAT RENOVATION | 

12 Piedmont St. — LIBerty 3803 — Boston 


Providence Acers 
Hit by Hurricane 

By CHARLES A. ROSSKAM 

Providence — Those in the trade here hit 
most severely by the hurricane which swept 
up the Atlantic seaboard were the down- 
town theatres. Cooling systems, sound 
equipment, seats, rugs and console organs 
were among items buried under tons of 
water and silt in many of the theatres 
this Boxoffice reporter visited. 

More fortunate were the second-run 
houses who were forced to suspend opera- 
tions for a short time mainly due to lack 
of electric current. 

The Liberty, first to reopen, was operat- 
ing Thursday night. On Friday, the Park 
and Palace theatres in Cranston and the 
Uptown on Broadway held matinee and 
evening shows. 

The RKO Albee, less affected than most 
of the local theatres, was planning to 
open late in the week pending word from 
health and police authorities. 

Problematical are reopening dates for the 
Majestic, Carlton and Fays, all hal'd hit 
by winds and water. The State and Em- 
pire were ready to reopen with the re- 
sumption of electric current. 

The Strand lobby at one point in the 
storm was three feet deep in water. Seats 
in the auditorium were covered by water 
and mud. 

At Newport, the Opera House, Strand 
and Shea’s Paramount were operating Sat- 
urday, although E. M. Loew’s Colonial was 
closed until further notice, it having been 
hit harder than others by the storm. 

Woonsocket theatres were open Friday, 
including the Bijou, Olympia, Rialto and 
Stadium. In Pawtucket, E. M. Loew’s Capi- 
tol opened after a power shutdown 
Wednesday. It got under way at 3 o’clock 
Thursday, the Strand reopening at 7 
o’clock that night and the Leroy on Friday. 



fHE ceiling at the Rivoli Theatre has 
been treated to improve the acoustics. 


Loew-Poli staffs held a midnight outing 
at the Fayerweather Yacht Club. 

Matt Saunders was host to priests, min- 
isters and social workers at a “Boys Town” 
preview. 

Harry Lewis is installing new carpets 
and screen in his Empire at New London. 

Loew-Poli usherettes donned evening 
gowns and Herald used a group picture 
. . . The Strand-Palace is trying an 
occasional all-Polish program. 

Manager Morris Rosenthal of the Ma- 
jestic presented Adrian Link, lame news- 
boy, with a bicycle in the lobby of theatre. 
The boy's bicycle had been stolen. 

Pickwick Theatre, Greenwich, and 
Greenwich Time have tied up with a har- 
monica school stunt. 


76 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


MPTOA Convention in Oklahoma 
City Lengthened to Four Days 


Campaign Is 
Aiding Trade 

New Orleans — The Motion Pictures’ 
Greatest Year campaign, though really 
only in its infancy, already has begun 
reviving the film industry, according to 
R. V. Anderson of New York, member. of 
the campaign committee, while in New 
Orleans this week. He is making a “good- 
will tour” in the interest of the drive. “It 
was not until the promotion of this $1,000,- 
000 campaign began that these three 
branches of the industry ever completely 
united for the good of all of them,” Ander- 
son said. He cited figures to show that 
the national film audiences have dwindled 
by several thousand persons per week in 
the past several years. 

“Pictures that will please all types of 
people in the United States are being pro- 
duced,” Anderson said. “Better films have 
resulted from the efforts of the industry 
to improve itself.” Anderson said that 
early September figures show the best re- 
action from the campaign has been felt 
by theatres in large cities. It will spread, 
he predicted, as better films reach the 
smaller towns. 


Salesmen Get More 
Time in Drive Tilt 

Dallas — Salesmen out of Dallas high 
in their percentage to win first prize in 
the $750 cash award offered by three 
spirited tradesmen, are given through Oc- 
tober 1 to turn in their blanks for pledges 
by independent exhibitors donating 10 
cents per seat in the “Greatest Year” cam- 
paign. 

R. I. Payne, custodian of pledges, de- 
clines to name the top salesman to date, 
but indicates there are several who can 
qualify for first and second. A repre- 
sentative of the Pox and United Artists 
exchanges are believed to be in the run- 
ning, however. An M-G-M man also is 
in high position. 

The $750 is made up by R. E. Griffith, 
W. G. Underwood and R. J. O’Donnell and 
has no connection with other campaign 
funds as this money comes out of their 
personal pockets. 

Competing salesmen are reported by 
Payne to be making better showings with- 
in the last few days, as many exhibitors 
are just now beginning to be playing 
a greater number of Movie Quiz pictures. 

As far as contest headquarters and ac- 
cessory headquarters (the Fox exchange) 
can determine, there has been no letdown 
in the campaign. 


Ritchey to St, Jo 

Sx. Jo, Tex. — T. L. Ritchey of Atlanta, 
Tex , has purchased the new Texas at 
St. Jo from Charles Knauf, a Gainesville 
business man who built the house last 
November and who operated it since. The 
Ritchey family has moved to St. Jo. They 
include Mrs. Ritchey, Diana, age 10, and 
Lanier, 4. 


Oklahoma City — A fourth day has been 
added to the previously scheduled three- 
day time set for the 18th annual MPTOA 
convention to be held here October 30, 31 
and November 1. The added date, No- 
vember 2, was made necessary, states 
Morris Loewenstein, convention chairman, 
by the overwhelming amount of work to 
do and the vast schedule of entertainment 
events already set for the convention. 

The date of the Movie Ball has also 
been postponed from November 1 to No- 
vember 2. Dinty Moore, chairman of the 
entertainment committee, is arranging de- 
tails with MCA representatives for a name 
band to be used at the ball which will be 
open to the public. The appeal of the 
band and the personal appearances of a 
number of motion picture stars are ex- 
pected to draw from 6,000 to 10,000 peo- 
ple to the ball, which will probably be 
held in the new state national guard 
armory now being constructed. 

Business sessions of the convention pro- 
gram are being formulated in the New 

Carabeza Buys Features 
From Mexican Producers 

San Antonio — Jose Carabeza, one of the 
oldest distributors of Mexican pictures in 
the state of Texas, has returned from 
Mexico City on business recently and 
stated that he signed contracts with pro- 
ducers of prestige and soon will exhibit 
all new features made in the southern re- 
public for distribution here. 

Carabeza affirms that he will handle 
most of the Mexican film product on a 
large percentage to be distributed in the 
southern states. 

The Laredo firm will release super pro- 
ductions with both English and Spanish 
titles. 

Mrs, B. Baradel Acquires 
Second at McGehee, Ark, 

McGehee, Ark. — Mrs. B. Baradel, owner 
of the Ritz here, has bought the New, 
on South Front St., from J. C. Crowder 
who opened the house several months ago. 
Mrs. Baradel will continue to operate both 
theatres. Three changes of program at 
the New will be made each week at straight 
admittance prices of 10 and 20 cents. 
Beginning this week at the Ritz there will 
be four program changes each week. 


Fire Panic Victim 

Houston — An unknown woman was re- 
ported trampeled but only slightly injured 
in a booth fire at the Azteca when 200 
persons fled from fright over a booth fire. 
Order was soon restored and the loss was 
said to be negligible outside of the film. 


York office of MPTOA with President Ed 
Kuykendall having pointed out that “regu- 
late or legislate” will be one theme. The 
local convention committee is also mak- 
ing extensive plans for inclusion of busi- 
ness building and seat selling discussions 
and presentations as part of the sessions. 

Definite assurance of other conventions 
to be held here concurrently have also 
been received. Beside the previously an- 
nounced Griffith Amusement Co. conven- 
tion and the convention of the MPTO 
of Oklahoma Tri-States, the Kansas-Mis- 
souri group and the unit representing 
Georgia, Alabama and Florida have prom- 
ised carloads of delegates. 

The convention committee has also de- 
termined the opening day will serve as 
a “get together” party with the first busi- 
ness session set to begin the morning of 
October 31, business sessions then cover- 
ing the next three days with liberal en- 
tertainment features planned for spare 
time hours on the last three days of the 
meeting. 

O \\p 'i* II 

ocreen rugitive 
For Georgia Jurors 

Atlanta — Jurors in Judge E. E. Pom- 
eroy’s division of Fulton superior court 
trying the $100,000 damage suit filed by 
Judge Vivian Stanley, of the state prison 
and parole commission, against Warner 
and a group of exhibitors, went to the 
“movies” on Filmrow last week. 

The jurors journeyed to the RKO au- 
ditorium to view a screening of the five- 
year-old picture, “I Am a Fugitive From 
a Chain Gang.” 

The judge sent them to the screening 
so the jurors could judge for themselves 
whether Robert Elliott Burns, author of 
the scenario from which the film was 
made, libeled Judge Stanley, the Georgia 
prison commission and the state gang sys- 
tem. 

The suit holds the book and picture are 
both scurrilous and hold up the prison 
commissioners and the prison camp offi- 
cials to scorn and ridicule. 

Besides Warner, other defendants named 
in the suit are Vitaphone Corp.; Vitagraph, 
Inc., Atlanta Enterprises, Inc., and the 
Rialto and Georgia theatres. 


Improve at Petersburg 

Petersburg, Tex. — The old Petersburg 
Theatre has been improved to the extent 
it is now called the New Petersburg. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 S 


77 


Texas Monogram Has Birthday 



Dallas — Monogram Pictures, Inc., a 
Texas corporation under full ownership 
and control of Ed Blumenthal and John 
Franconi, is observing its first anniversary 
on October 2 to 8, but is postponing the 
celebration to the week starting October 
23, being the last week of W. Ray John- 
ston’s silver anniversary, when all Mono- 
gram prints in the Dallas branch will be 
working solid, to produce the biggest 
business in the history of the company. 

A part of the observance is the photo- 
graph here of the company’s sales staff 
taken in front of the local branch. They 
are, left to right: Ed Blumenthal, John 
Franconi, W. E. Finch, Connie Dreher and 
Carl Mock. Blumenthal is branch mana- 


Vital Film Issues 
Nearing High Court 

Dallas — Col. H. A. Cole, president of the 
Allied Theatre Owners of Texas, contends 
that in October the supreme court may 
decide two of the most important issues 
that have ever confronted the film in- 
dustry in the courts. 

He referred to the “price fixing” case of 
the Interstate circuit and major distribu- 
tors and to the North Dakota case which 
would divorce distribution from exhibi- 
tion. 

O. T. McGinley Leases 
Palace Theatre, Moody 

Moody, Tex. — O. T. McGinley, one of 
the owners of the Ritz at McGregor, has 
leased the Palace in Moody from John 
Payne. He immediately started Prosper- 
ity Nights at a dime on Wednesday and 
Thursday. He plans to operate full time. 


Students Book Elissa Landi 

Fayetteville, Ark. — Elissa Landi, film 
actress and dramatic star, is scheduled to 
appear at the University of Arkansas Oc- 
tober 28 in the first of a series of at- 
tractions brought free to students by the 
Student Affairs Committee, it has been 
announced here. 


ger and president of the corporation; Fran- 
coni is branch sales manager and vice- 
president; Finch, the booker; Dreher in 
west Texas and Mock, east Texas. 

Blumenthal and Franconi are gratified 
over an increasing volume of business 
through contracts both with the major 
circuits and independent exhibitors. They 
are further gratified over the success of 
Monogram pictures so far in the Movie 
Quiz contest. 

These partners declare they are the sole 
owners of the Monogram business in Texas 
and that no other interests are connected 
with it. This statement, it seems, sets at 
rest any ideas of the past that there 
might be other partners. 


Variety Golf Tournament 
Is Slated for October 10 

Dallas — The 1938 Variety Club fall golf 
tournament is well under way in its pro- 
motion, headed as usual by Duke H. Evans, 
chairman of arrangements. 

In the past, many independent exhibi- 
tors have mingled with circuit managers 
in contest over valuable prizes and this 
year indications are that attendance will 
be even greater from that quarter. The 
time is logical, being just behind the Texas- 
Oklahoma game, it was pointed out. Many 
film exchange managers are going to make 
up prizes for the tournament, it was said. 


Bryan Amusement Co, 
Buys Theatre Building 

Bryan, Tex. — Bryan Amusement Co. of 
which Mrs Morris Schulman is manager, 
and which is affiliated with Jefferson 
Amusement Co. at Beaumont, has pur- 
chased the building in which its Queen 
Theatre is housed. The purchase price is 
reported as $15,000. Eventually the thea- 
tre will be entirely remodeled. The Brazos 
Hotel will continue to operate above the 
theatre for the present. 


Installs New Ventilator 

Green Forest, Ark. — Lester McCormick, 
manager of the Majestic, has installed a 
new ventilating system. 


IHI CO IU §TON 

g^EN happy mothers of Houston and 10 

interested youngsters are enjoying a trip 
to Hollywood via Grand Canyon as re- 
sult of the beauty and popularity contest 
for children under five years of age 
sponsored recently by Loew’s State, the 
Houston Post, the Santa Fe railroad and 
commercial firms in Houston. 

Eddie Bremer, Kirby manager, is busy 
arranging his fifteenth annual benefit 
show for city firemen at the City Audi- 
torium early in October. Last year Brem- 
er’s show cleared more than $5,000. 

The “March of Time” found Houston’s 
new fire prevention bureau worth a play 
in its news films and has just completed 
a chronicle of the bureau’s inspectors and 
investigators at work. The bureau is en- 
tirely separate from the city fire depart- 
ment, but the latter unit was not neglected 
by Cameraman Glynn in charge. Scenes 
of the boys in action will be included in 
the film, scheduled for general showing 
during Fire Prevention Week in October. 

The Movie Quiz contest is catching on 
in earnest in local theatres, managers say. 
“There can be no doubt that the contest 
is pulling many new patrons in the thea- 
tres,” said Ray Jones, Majestic manager. 
“ The lift in attendance was especially 
noticeable the week school opened, Sep- 
tember 19. This is usually a lean week in 
amusements, but this fall mothers and 
youngsters, too, took care not to miss the 
Movie Quiz features, regardless of books 
and registrations.” 

Little Jerry Lynn Lever, seven-year-old 
daughter of A1 Lever, city manager of In- 
terstate Theatres in Houston, is having her 
first taste of dancing school. Friends say 
the little girl is already a promising per- 
former ... In addition to his other duties, 
A1 Lever found time recently to super- 
vise the redecoration of the Majestic lobby 
and auditorium. 

Griffith Moves Shaha 

To New Ardmore Post 

Cleburne, Tex. — R. D. Shaha, assistant 
manager of the Yale and Palace, has 
been transferred by the Griffith circuit 
to Ardmore. Jim O’Donnell of Blackwell, 
Okla., succeeds. 

Wilson Wood was transferred to Ponca 
City as house manager and doorman. Tom 
Kirkland, display artist, will be transferred 
to Midland as assistant manager under 
Howard Hodge, instead of to Norman, 
Okla., as formerly announced. 

Williams Exchange Will 
Distribute McCoy Films 

Oklahoma City — K. Lee Williams ex- 
change has signed for distribution of eight 
Tim McCoy westerns for Oklahoma with 
the first ready for distribution Novem- 
ber 1. Nat Saland is producer of the films. 
Adams Film Exchange of Dallas has 
bought the same product for the state of 
Texas. 


78 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 




Begin Building on 
Third for Chesher 

Littlefield, Tex. — A site for his third 
theatre here has been purchased by W. J. 
Chesher with construction on the show- 
house already under way. 

The Ritz, another Chesher house here, 
is presently being outfitted with a new 
front. 

The Palace is the third local theatre 
owned by Chesher. 

Standard in Deal lor 
Westerns by Alexander 

Oklahoma City — Max Alexander, inde- 
pendent producer of a new series of west- 
erns to star Gene Austin, has left after 
completing a deal with Standard Theatres’ 
general manager, Dinty Moore, for a world 
premiere of the first, “Songs and Sad- 
dles,” October 6, 7 and 8 at Standard’s 
Liberty Theatre here. 

Austin, with his accompanists, Candy 
and Coco, will make a personal appear- 
ance at the Liberty showing. 


Earlier Saturday Opening 

Eastland, Tex. — The Lyric has advanced 
its Saturday opening time from 2:30 to 
12 o’clock. 


|£ARL HOBLITZELLE, in Europe nearly 
three months with Mrs. Hoblitzelle, ar- 
rived on the Normandie Monday in New 
York where he was met by R. J. O’Don- 
nell, who made a special trip north to 
greet the “boss-boss.” The three were ex- 
pected in Dallas by the middle of the week. 
A Dallas newspaper on Tuesday carried 
a lengthy front-page story from New York 
giving Hoblitzelle’s views on the European 
war scare. 

Roy Thrash, the neon sign and theatre 
front man with Texlite, around the Mexi- 
can border on a business trip, saw a bull 
fight across the line at Matamoras. He 
said it’s no bull, however, about broiled 
quail being good. R. N. Smith at Mission 
gave him an order for a big sign, he 
added. 

John Franconi has returned from Ama- 
rillo where he was Monogram’s goodwill 
ambassador at the Tri-State Fair and 
where Jack Randall, Movita and John 
Carroll, Monogram stars, appeared be- 
fore 100,000. John said Randall was made 
a Texas Ranger, Carroll a colonel and 
Movita a commodore in the Texas navy. 
George Weeks and Ginger Rogers are the 
only other film people who are Texas com- 
modores, according to Franconi. 

T. L. Richey, new owner of the Texas 
at St. Joe, was on the Row Tuesday, 
buying miscellaneous supplies and booking 
... J. I. Roberts, NTS manager, was in 


good sorts Tuesday. He suffered little 
trouble following extraction of several 
teeth. B. G. Herber also lost a wisdom 
tooth. 

An extremely short cotton crop in Ham- 
ilton county is causing him some concern, 
Harold Stroud, owner of the Strand there 
and the Palace at Hico, intimated to Box- 
office while on the Row this week . . . 
Carl Mock, they say, is doing a good job 
with Monogram in east Texas. He came 
into the Texas territory for United Artists 
two seasons back. 

George Smith, associated with his moth- 
er, Mrs. C. P. Smith, in the Crystal and 
Shelby at Center, ivas doing business on 
the Row Monday and Tuesday . . . And 
Bill (W. J.) Chesher, of Littlefield, was 
in town on account of that third theatre 
he is building there. 

W. H. Horton, familiar about Filmrow 
the past few years, has been employed by 
Mrs. Thomas Donnell as projectionist at 
the Palace in Stephenville . . . H. Biers- 
dorf, Fox manager, has been taking the 
other branch managers for ten bucks 
apiece, he being a committee of one to 
raise funds for prizes from managers to 
winners in the coming Variety golf tourna- 
ment early in October. 

Alfred N. Sack, president of the Sack 
Amusement Enterprises, is back from a trip 
to the east where he spent two months. 


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DALLAS, TEXAS 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


79 




gILL MATTINGLY, former salesman of 
the local M-G-M branch, has gone to 
work in Charlotte, N. C., as a salesman 
for W. M. Richardson, newly appointed 
manager of the Universal branch there 
. . . C. E. Kessnich, southern district 
manager for M-G-M out of Atlanta, vis- 
ited the local branch this week. 

W. E. “Dad” Sipe, formerly Universal 
branch manager for the past 23 years and 
dean of local Filmrow, has opened a new 
independent exchange here, the Superior 
Film & Supply Co., located in the old 
Pathe Exchange Bldg. “Dad” Sipe has af- 
filiated with Lee Goldberg of Cincinnati 
and is distributor for Big Feature Rights 
in Tennessee and west Kentucky . 

Seen along Filmrow: R. V. McGinnis, 
New theatres, Nashville and Hope, Ark.; 
W. A. Rush, Houston Theatre, Houston, 
Miss.; Miss Addys Brown, Gem and Ne- 
vada theatres, Prescott, Ark.; Hy Sanders 
of Little Rock, manager of the New and 
Rcxy theatres for Robb & Rowley. 

Max Alexander and Bob Kerr of Road- 
shoiv Productions, Hollywood, were here 
making arrangements with the manage- 
ment of the Orpheum Theatre for the 
premiere opening of their first produc- 
tion “Songs and Saddles,” featuring Gene 
Austin. Austin and the original cast of 
the picture, including “Sandy & Coco,” 
will appear on the stage in conjunction 


with the picture. The unit is scheduled 
to open Friday, October 7. 

Sol Sachs, southwestern district mana- 
ger i or RKO, made his usual visit to the 
local branch . . . The first weekly lunch- 
eon of the recently-organized Variety Club 
was held in club quarters at the Gayoso. 
The speaker was City Commissioner Clif- 
ford Davis. The luncheon was attended 
by about 60 members. Plans for remodel- 
ing the old Colonnade room into perma- 
nent headquarters were discussed. A ban- 
quet was set for October 17, to which 
national officers will be invited. M. A. 
Lightman is chief barker. 

Quits Capitol Orchestra 
Pit to Teach Language 

Atlanta — Enrico Leide, leader of the 
Capitol Theatre orchestra and well known 
in musical circles here, has joined the 
faculty of Oglethorpe University. 

Leide will teach Italian and Spanish. 
He is widely known as a linguist, and for- 
merly taught music and languages at So- 
phie Newcomb College, New Orleans. 


Build in Statesville 

Statesville, N. C. — A new theatre is 
under construction here and will be ready 
for occupancy by late December. 

The owners, L. C. Wagner and Clarence 
Stimpson, are having the structure built 
for the Statesville Theatre Corp. of which 
A. Fuller Sams jr. is manager. 


A T 1L AMT A 

VISITORS: James Jarrell, Commerce, 
Ga.; Bill Carr, Swainsboro, Ga.; Col- 
onel T. E. Orr, of All Amusements, Inc., 
Albertville, Ala., and Hammond Green, 
booker; Lester Smith, Scottsboro, Ala. 

The marriage of Miss Lyndall Attaway, 
biller at the Columbia office here for four 
years, and Harold Starr eft, of East Point, 
will take place October 9. 

More than 200 members of the Jolly 
Club enjoyed an outing at Spillers, Austell, 
last Saturday. 

The Motion Picture Duckpin Bowling 
League has started its new season, with 
eight teams of five men, representing the 
film and allied industries. The league plays 
each Wednesday night, for 28 weeks. Cash 
prizes, cups, medals and trophies will be 
awarded. Teams are Metro, Paramount, 
Columbia, RKO, Warner, Theatrical Print- 
ing, Transportation, and Lucas & Jenkins. 

Mrs. John Jenkins, wife of the manager 
of the Popkin Distributing Co. here, is 
back at her desk after a three-week ill- 
ness. 

Oscar Morgan, Paramount district man- 
ager, returned to his office this week after 
an extended absence. 

Hubert M. Lyons, RKO district manager, 
journeyed to Augusta and Asheville last 
week on business. 

Cresson E. Smith, eastern division mana- 
ger, RKO, spent several days here last 
week, conferring with officials and others 
in the local office. 

Riley Davis, O. C. Lamb, Fred Coleman 
and Jack Barrett recently went on a hunt- 
ing trip to south Georgia and Florida. 

W. H. Kimberly of Visugraphic has re- 
turned from Swainsboro and Dublin, where 
he made a picture of various industries 
and agricultural pursuits. W. K. High- 
tower, manager of the Ritz Theatre, and 
Bill Carr of Swainsboro aided him by 
showing him the various points of interest. 

Benton Brothers Film Express is seek- 
ing to start a line in Florida, and have ap- 
plied to the ICC. 

S. R. (Sid) Reams of Theatrical Print- 
ing was in St. Louis last week. 

More than 200 members of the Atlanta 
Boys Club attended a special showing of 
“Boys Town” at Loew’s Grand Theatre last 
week. 

L. /. Dean Acquires a 
Camp Wood Newspaper 

Camp Wood, Tex. — L. J. Dean, owner and 
operator of the Dixie, has turned editor 
in addition to his exhibition activity. He 
recently purchased The Messenger of 
Light, a 13-year-old newspaper, and in the 
first issue Dean carried considerable ad- 
vertising. Its general make-up is very 
neat and attractive. 


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BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 




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81 





"^HE attempt by five persons to hold a 
labor meet in the basement of a build- 
ing on South Rampart street was frus- 
trated, when the owners of the building, 
Paul Brunet and Hugh Exnicios, operators 
of a motion picture theatre at that ad- 
dress, had the five ejected. 

Walter P. Richardson, nationally known 
actor, died at Turo Infirmary here Sat- 
urday, September 24. Mr. Richardson, a 
native of Toronto, Canada, was 55 years 
old. Surviving him are his second wife, 
the former Mrs. Sophia Roach Bronson, 
and his mother. 

Movie Night, which has been in the 
east for some time, is being introduced 
here at the Chez Paree, local night spot. 
Every Wednesday movies are taken of 
guests and shown on the following Wed- 
nesday . . . Midnight shows will start at 
the Orpheum Theatre here Saturday night 
with Columbia’s “You Can’t Take It With 
You” as its first offering. 

New Parkway in Miami 
Rushed to Completion 

Miami — With construction several weeks 
in advance of schedule, the new Parkway 
Theatre was to open September 30. 

This Coral Way community house is 
owned and will be operated by Aaron 
Courshon, former Chicago theatrical man 
who has several apartment houses and 
hotels on the beach. He acquired it last 
spring from the Cooney Brothers. 

Located in one of the fastest develop- 
ing communities on the mainland, the 
Parkway will offer luxurious accommoda- 
tions at popular neighborhood prices. 


Flying Record Now Held 
By R. E. "Bob" Bryant 

Charlotte — R. E. “Bob” Bryant, ex- 
hibitor in Rock Hill, S. C., has been rec- 
ognized as holder of the world’s airline 
distance record for light landplanes with 
motor displacements of less than 122 cubic 
inches by the Federal Aeronautique In- 
ternationale. 

Bryant’s record non-stop flight was 
made July 31 from Miami, Fla., to Cam- 
den, N. J. 


I00F Officer Hits 
Gangster Pictures 

Oklahoma City — An impassioned plea 
by an international officer of the IOOF 
for a vigorous fight against certain types 
of motion pictures, was given the Odd Fel- 
lows international convention here at its 
closing session. 

It was a crusading speech in which 
George I. Breiel, director of extension 
and development, pleaded that the order 
and the Rebekahs wage a campaign against 
gangster films. 

“I am going to throw a bombshell,” he 
said. “I am going to protest publicly 
against the production of motion pictures 
that make heroes out of gangsters and 
against motion pictures that teach youtn 
the technique of stealing.” 

Calling names, Breiel lauded “Snow 
White and the Seven Dwarfs” as “a beau- 
tiful and innocent” picture and condemned 
“Crime School” as a picture “that dis- 
played all the technique of stealing and 
disposal of stolen goods.” 

After seeing “Crime School,” Breiel 
said he “came out of the theatre with a 
determination, that as long as Breiel lives 
and can utter a word, regardless of the 
consequences, he is going to protest.” 

“I appeal to the mothers of this coun- 
try, not to boycott but to be sure they 
know what kind of pictures their children 
see,” he said. It wouldn’t do to repeat 
over this microphone some of the things 
he said he heard in the show. 


Bill Stuckert Remodels 
Simon Theatre , Brenham 

Brenham, Tex. — W. A. 'Bill) Stuckert 
has made a complete job of renovating 
the Simon Theatre which served as a 
model for higher type exhibition in other 
Texas towns at the time it was built. The 
job featured the latest in new sound 
equipment and a new front with neon 
lighting. 

Tire interior was redecorated and new 
lighting fixtures and drapes installed. 
Stuckert’s Simon and Rex theatres are 
affiliated with the Robb & Rowley-United 
circuit. 


OKLA. CITY 

^INE cowgirls in for the rodeo at the 
State Fair here were guests of T. B. 
Noble last week at the State Theatre . . . 
Turner Morrisett, Hominy, has replaced 
Fred Jackson as manager of the Yale and 
Palace, Griffith houses at Claremore. 
Jackson has been transferred to Semi- 
nole Griffith houses . . . Tyrone Power 
came to Tulsa last weekend and went to 
bed with an emphatic “No visitors; no 
publicity,” after completing all but a few 
retakes on his “Jesse James,” which 20th- 
Fox is making in nearby Noel, Mo. 

District court has ordered the Liberty 
National Bank of Oklahoma City to pay 
$50 attorneys fees to Robert R. Ritten- 
house and $50 receivers fees to Roy L. 
Sullivan in the bankruptcy proceedings 
brought there against the Dyer Theatre 
Supply Co. The United States government 
has also filed a tax claim in the case. 

The state criminal court of appeals has 
invalidated the Shawnee Sunday closing 
ordinance on a writ of habeas corpus 
granted two Shawnee grocers declaring it 
unconstitutional because it “discriminates 
against grocery stores” and thus amounts 
to “class legislation.” The ordinance per- 
mits theatres and drug stores among other 
businesses to operate on Sunday . . . Po- 
lice were called in a labor row growing 
out of efforts of 30 members of the hod- 
carriers union to prevent four non-union 
laborers from working on remodeling of 
the interior of the Gem Theatre. 

The city council is considering an ordi- 
nance which would deny permits to all 
dance halls selling beer or within 50 feet 
of a place where beer is sold; these have 
been hurting local theatre business . . . 
Motion picture stars have been invited as 
guests at the dedication of the Will Rog- 
ers Memorial museum at Claremore No- 
vember 4. Gov. E. W. Marland has con- 
ferred with Will Hays and extended an 
invitation to Rogers’ fellow actors to at- 
tend the ceremonies. 

Latest' district court suit involving Film- 
row is that of J. Eldon Peak, Oklahoma 
Theatre Supply Co., successor to J. Eldon 
Peek, The Film Speaker Co. vs. the United 
States Air Conditioning Corp. and the 
United States Air-Conditioning Sales Corp. 
of Oklahoma and Texas, asking for com- 
mission on contract in the sum of $1,000 
. . . District Judge Ben Arnold told a 
weeping mother in court here last week 
involved in a child custody case, “If I 
were you I’d go over to Shawnee (her 
home) once a week to see my baby. I’d 
go early in the morning and stay all day 
and take the child to a picture show.” 

Mr. and Mrs. Harry McKenna are on 
their honeymoon in Galveston and New 
Orleans. He is booker at the K. Lee Wil- 
liams exchange and she was secretary to 
L. C. Griffith of the Griffith Amusement 
Co. before her marriage . . . E. L. Walker, 
K. Lee Williams, Arkansas booker, in town 
for a brief visit and back to Little Rock. 


. . . JOSE CARABEZA offers to the exhibitor, the Best Features Made 

in MEXICO — Exclusive distributors for the State of Texas for the 
Super Product with English titles. ALLA EN EL RANCHO GRANDE 
followed by UN DOMINGO EN EL TARDE — LA ROSA DE XOCHI- 
MILCO — LA CANCION DEL HUERFANCO — SU NEGRA — DIOS 
LOS CRIA Y ELLOS SE JUNTAN — MORENA Y MEXICANA — MALA 
YERBA — LOS DE ABAJO and 12 more. Write for prices and condi- 
tions to Jose Carabeza, exclusive distributor for best known Mexican 
producers. 

— 1\ O. BOX 535, LAREDO, TEXAS. ■ 


82 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


§ A N T Oi HE 

“^•HE MASS,” a feature length religious 
production, has been completed here 
by National Films, Inc., San Antonio’s own 
motion picture company, with studios lo- 
cated at 221 Brackenridge Ave. here. The 
original stage play and Bible story was 
authored by W. H. Foster who also por- 
trays the role of Christus in the produc- 
tion. Direction was by Stuart Paton of 
Hollywood, with Harry Forbes, A.S.C., at 
the camera, assisted by Rollie Moore and 
Jack Hooper. Sound recorder was Jack 
Howard Britton. The authentic sets on 
the lot was designed and built by Hermer 
“Smitty” Schmidt. Company officials an- 
nounced that the film will be premiered 
at the Texas Theatre here October 10. 

Scenes around town: Barnum and Sells- 
Floto Circus is heavily billed here for 
October 6-7 . . . The Music Box Theatre 
on Soledad has moved up its opening to 
October 1 . . . Jack Moore, Tom Mix’s half- 
brother, giving our fair city the OO. 

Ralph Labutis, driver for the Texas- 
Valley Film Service here, has returned 
from a vacation spent up in the Windy 
Ctiy . . . Manager J. J. Jimenez of Latin- 
American Film exchange back from a busi- 
ness trip to Corpus Christi and Laredo . . . 
David Young, Brownsville showman; Jose 
U. Calderon and Rafael Calderon, of Mex- 
ico City and El Paso respectively, pro- 
ducers, exhibitors and distributors of Az- 
teca Films, were visitors along North Sole- 
dad St. recently. 


m hi a mi hi 

jyjIAMI, all buttoned up and expecting 
the worst, was missed by the tragic 
hurricane which swept up the North At- 
lantic seaboard, taking a toll of 500 lives 
and doing property damage in the un- 
counted millions. 

Gordon Spradley, Biltmore Theatre man- 
ager in Buena Vista, has returned from 
his vacation in North Carolina's moun- 
tains . . . During the duration of the Movie 
Quiz contest, J. Hal Luter, manager of 
the Rex here, is suspending his own xveek- 
ly Rex-couplet. 

Owen MacFarland, assistant manager of 
the Edison, is the newest of proud fath- 
ers in local theatrical circles. It’s a boy, 
christened Owen jr. . . .A revival of 
“Dracula” did good business at the Isis, 
Pensacola. 

A couple of dozen new-born tiny black 
moonfish are now swimming in the green 
patio garden pool of the Mayfair Theatre 
here. The occasion hastened Manager- 
Mark Chartrant to notify friends and the 
press by telephone. 


Hilgers Joins Republic 

New York — Claire Hilgers, until recent- 
ly Universal branch manager in Okla- 
homa City, has joined Republic here as 
special sales contact and assistant to 
President James R. Grainger. 


Talented Dog 



Dallas — Henry Sorenson, owner of 
Modem Theatre Equipment Co., has a pet 
dog which plays the piano and sings with 
some degree of perception of a theatre 
sound technician. 

The pet is labeled a canine Caruso. 
Neighbors complained to police over the 
daily concerts, but nothing was done about 
it. Mrs. Sorenson said, however, she would 
keep the piano closed during the day, as 
“Mike,” the bulldog, could not open 
it by himself even though he did stand 
on the bench with his hind legs and play 
accompaniments to howling tunes from 
baritone to high tenor. 

Many Dallas people had much fun over 
the dog incident, indirectly related to the 
film business, and others on the Row were 
asking Sorenson for special performances. 


Searcy Projectionist 

Suffers Severe Burns 

Searcy, Ark. — H. E. Thomas, projec- 
tionist at the Bradford, was taken to the 
Wakenight Hospital here in a critical con- 
dition Monday night as the result of 
burns he received when film ignited. 
Thomas was burned on the arms, hands, 
face and chest. Although his condition 
was considered critical, physicians say he 
will recover. The projection room was bad- 
ly damaged. 


SERVING THE 

Southern Exhibitor 

With 

Satisfactory Service 

The Queen Feature Service, Inc. 

Quality Theatre Equipment <5 Supplies 
1912 Morris Ave. Phone 3-8665 

BIRMINGHAM, ALA. 



RALEIGH SHARROCK, formerly mana- 
ger of the Rialto, Morrilton, who has 
been transferred by the Saenger interests 
to Pensacola, Fla., where he will manage 
a theatre in that city. 

Recently H. C. Putman, of near Mena, 
presented a 20-year-old theatre ticket at 
the Lyric boxoffice, Mena, which was hon- 
ored by Manager L. E. Gwaltney. Put- 
man attended the show that afternoon. 
He explained that 20 years ago a grocery 
firm at Mena gave away theatre tickets 
in connection with some sort of sales pro- 
motion and that the ticket he presented 
was one issued June 12, 1918. Putman said 
that while going through some old rec- 
ords he ran across the ticket and just 
wanted to see if it was still good. 

Extensive remodeling recently was made 
at the Royal, Bentonville, by M. J. Kil- 
bourn and his son, Payne, and plans are 
being made to reopen the house soon. 
New sound equipment will be installed. 


Alterations for Curtis Theatre 

Liberty, N. C. — Curtis Theatre here is 
undergoing extensive improvements. 


11 Theatre cc 

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BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


83 


RESULTS! 


That's what these advertisers WANTED 
and that's what they GOT! 



You , too , can get 

RESULTS from the (Stealing 4 jou5q 

ON YOUR WANTS * 



SELLS AND BUYS EQUIPMENT, THEATRES, SERVICES 


84 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 




Mayors' Association Officer Doubts 
Councils Would Pass a Ticket Tax 


Good Omen 
In Alberta 

Calgary, Alta. — Evidence of the pros- 
perity that attends the harvesting of a 
big crop is reflected by the construction 
work going on in the capitol city of Ed- 
monton and in this industrial city. Al- 
berta elevators are full of wheat. The 
crop of grains has exceeded forecasts. New 
department stores are being built in Ed- 
monton, also a packing plant. Ground 
was broken for another oil refinery in Cal- 
gary and Famous Players’ two principal 
houses here are due for extensive altera- 
tions. 

A building permit has just been granted 
the Capitol for reconstruction. A large 
neon sign, weighing six tons, will be 
mounted above a new marquee which will 
extend the full width of the theatre. The 
brick frontage is to be covered with black 
vitrolite against which stainless steel of 
the marquee and advertising frames will 
give a black and silver color scheme. 

A new boxoffice will be erected at the 
front of the entrance, replacing the an- 
tique box at present located half way up 
the lobby. Interior will be modernized for 
quick service. Present rubber mats will 
be discarded and the lobby will be carpeted 
from the front door right up the grand 
staircase. Mezzanine floor and entire 
house will be refurnished and recarpeted, 
while the gents’ smoking room and ladies’ 
lounge will be enlarged and refurnished in 
modernistic style. 

Entire system of lighting in the interior 
will be changed. This theatre will house 
the headquarters of the district manager, 
and new offices are being constructed for 
his use. 

The Capitol was fitted out with new 
seats only six months ago, so that the 
above alterations, with some new equip- 
ment in the projection room, will 
thoroughly modernize this western Cana- 
dian house. 

Less extensive will be the alterations 
being made at the Palace, sister house to 
the Capitol. The house will close at the 
end of this month for ten days when the 
main flooring will be torn up and cement 
flooring laid and new seats will be in- 
stalled. Ladies’ and gents’ rest rooms will 
be redecorated and refurnished while the 
entire house will be recarpeted. 

Vic Armand, western construction su- 
perintendent for the circuit, will supervise 
the work at both houses. 

Dewees to Build a New 
Theatre at Revelstoke 

Revelstoke, B. C. — This town is prom- 
ised a modern theatre to replace the Prov- 
ince, which was recently gutted by fire. 

W. P. Dewees, owner of the Province, 
previously had planned to remodel two of 
his buildings here into an up-to-date 
house, but had postponed the work pend- 
ing more favorable conditions. The loss 
of the other house has altered the situa- 
tion, and the reconstruction is to be pro- 
ceeded with as soon as the plans, already 
prepared, are approved by the fire marshal. 


Ottawa — Even should the Ontario gov- 
ernment enact permissive legislation for a 
municipal amusement tax, the revenue 
from which would be used by the cities for 
unemployment relief, no city council would 
adopt the measure on a vote of the aider- 
men. This was the declaration of Mayor 
Stanley Lewis of Ottawa, who is secretary 
of the Ontario Mayors Ass’n which re- 
cently recommended to the provincial gov- 
ernment that the cities be permitted to 
collect the ticket tax, thus replacing the 
Ontario levy which was revoked in its en- 
tirety on June 1, 1937. Mayor Lewis gave 
this as his belief in spite of the fact that 
the association of which he is an officer 
had adopted the amusements tax resolu- 
tion at its annual convention. He im- 
plied that the impost on admission tickets 
had been so unpopular with the electorate 
that members of a city council would hesi- 
tate to revive the levy in any form, even to 
relieve the tax pressure on real estate, 
businesses and income. 

The subject is not dead, however, be- 

Storm Disturbing 
To Montreal Shows 

Montreal — Lights were dimmed from 
time to time in almost all theatres in the 
Montreal district during the storm which 
swept northward from New England Wed- 
nesday night, September 21. Neighborhood 
houses were more severely affected, lights 
being extinguished in many cases. This, 
however, caused little inconvenience, as they 
are equipped with emergency lines. Ac- 
cording to “Bill” Wright', manager of the 
Monkland, lights flickered from time to 
time as the storm affected the power 
lines, but only once was it necessary to 
switch on the emergency equipment. 

At the Rosemount Theatre, in the north- 
east part of the city, power went off dur- 
ing the evening and although the emer- 
gency lights were switched on, obviating 
any alarm, it was impossible to continue 
the show and the audience was asked about 
9:30 p. m. to file out. Each was handed a 
pass to return on Thursday or Friday eve- 
ning. 

The lashing rain, which had the effect of 
keeping suburbanites at home and reduc- 
ing somewhat the audiences in neighbor- 
hood theatres, had precisely the opposite 
effect on the St. Catherine street houses. 
Before the full fury of the storm broke 
the usual window shopping crowds throng- 
ed the sidewalks. When the deluge came 
down the sidewalks were cleared in a jiffy 
as people rushed for shelter. Cafes and 
theatres were filled. 

Filmrow felt the inconvenience, being 
without light or power two days. 


cause the opportunity has been present- 
ed to Premier M. F. Hepburn of Ontario to 
put through a measure to restablish the 
provincial amusements tax but with the 
provision that the ticket revenue would 
be distributed to the municipalities for 
local purposes on a pro rata basis. Then 
the cities could accept the money with 
thanks. 

This is practically the procedure in the 
Provinces of Quebec where the government 
collects the tax, which averages 10 per 
cent of gross admissions, after which the 
returns are given to hospitals and orphan- 
ages in the form of civic grants, minus 
collection costs. 

In the last calendar year in which the 
Ontario amusements tax was effective, the 
revenue from this source was slightly 
above $2,000,000. With a revival of the 
Ontario levy, this money would go to the 
cities and towns in lieu of federal gov- 
ernment relief subsidies which have been 
cut off, thus leaving the burden on the 
municipalities. 

Two Theatre Fires 
Make Trade Wary 

Ottawa — With a special committee of 
the Dominion Fire Prevention Ass’n gath- 
ering data on equipment and protective 
measures of theatres with a view to rec- 
ommending a standard safety code to sup- 
plement existing Government regulations 
affecting the operation of show houses, 
the situation has sustained somewhat of 
a setback from the viewpoint of exhibitors 
because of two theatre fires in the Domin- 
ion within the past two weeks. 

The Rex Theatre, Regina, operated by 
H. A. Bercovich, was burned with a prop- 
erty loss of $65,000, while the Province 
Theatre at Revelstoke, owned by H. W. 
Cooper, was practically destroyed. Both 
houses were burned when they were empty 
and there was no loss of life. 

Because of these recent black marks on 
the theatres’ record, the fear is expressed 
that the fire prevention committee, semi- 
officially sponsored here, may bring in 
somewhat drastic recommendations. 

Calgary Capitol Allows 
Smoking in Loges 

Calgary, Alta. — The Capitol Theatre, 
largest downtown house here, has granted 
smoking privileges in the loges. This is 
the first local theatre at which cigarette 
smoking has been allowed at matinee and 
evening performances, although the Grand 
has granted this concession at the Sunday 
midnight shows for the past nine months. 

Manager Eddie Zorn states the change 
in policy is helping sell loges. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 K 


85 


Revision of D. S.- Canadian Trade 
Agreement Will Benefit Industry 


Ottawa — The moving picture industry 
is to gain a benefit in reduced duties in 
the impending revision of the trade agree- 
ment between the United States and Can- 
ada in the wiping out of the special three 
per cent excise tax on the duty paid value 
of film imports, either negative or posi- 
tive, and of printed advertising accessories, 
according to information from reliable 
sources in the Canadian capital. 

It is understood that the present cus- 
toms duties under the general tariff will 
continue to apply to films and printed 
matter from the United States, to which 
is added the sales tax of eight per cent on 
the duty paid value which will also be 
unaffected. The duty on 35 mm positive 

A Boost and Drop 
In F-P Admissions 

Ottawa — A change in policy has been 
made by Famous Players Canadian Corp. 
in the operation of the Capitol and Regent 
theatres, Ottawa. Commencing with this 
week’s attractions, the Regent, seating 
1,212 persons, is offering leading pictures 
on a single-feature program basis, prices 
being raised to 50 cents top or an increase 
of 15 cents. The new policy went into 
effect with the showing of “Marie An- 
toinette.” 

The Capitol Theatre, which seats 2,580, 
went on a popular-price standard with 
double bills as a permanent policy, prices 
being reduced proportionately to 35 cents 
top. The first program here under the 
new plan comprised “Three Loves Has 
Nancy” and “Campus Confessions,” with 
shorts. 

Booked into the Regent for early show- 
ing are: “Sweethearts,” “That Certain 
Age,” “Carefree,” “Suez,” “Men With 
Wings” and “Too Hot to Handle.” 


F-P Corp. Declares 15 
Cent Dividend lor Oct. 1 

Montreal — Directors of Famous Play- 
ers Canadian Corp., Ltd., have declared a 
dividend of 15 cents per share, payable 
October 1, to holders of record September 
declared May 27, payable June 15 last, 
30. This compares with 30 cents a share 
making a total of 45 cents a share for the 
present year to date. 

In 1937, the company made a single 
payment of 60 cents a share, on Decem- 
ber 15, and in 1936 also a single payment 
of 60 cents a share on December 22. 

The dividend applies to 408,524 shares. 


prints is three cents per foot while that 
for 16 mm prints is 20 per cent of the fair 
market value. The impost on negatives of 
all widths from the U. S. is 32 V 2 per 
cent. The general tariff on printed ad- 
vertising matter, including heralds, pos- 
ters, window cards, and novelties, is 12 y 2 
cents per pound or not less than 271/2 
per cent of fair market value. 

The British preference is considerably 
lower than the duty on imports from the 
states but very little in the way of acces- 
sories is brought from the United King- 
dom with the exception of press books and 
stills. The duty on British negative film, 
for instance, is only ten percent, com- 
pared with 32 y 2 per cent. 

Vaudeville on Program 
At Loew's in Montreal 

Montreal — Loew’s Theatre, redecorated, 
with new seats and new projection ma- 
chines, opened its 1938-39 season on Fri- 
day, September 23, with a changed policy. 
The theatre will present a weekly program 
combining eight acts of vaudeville and 
first-run pictures with short subjects. 

Heading the opening vaudeville bill were 
Jeanette Hackett and her revue, present- 
ing eight dancers, which came here direct 
from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New 
York. 

Vernon Rathbum’s Revels, second on the 
schedule, is a modern musical and dance 
revue featuring Vernon Rathburn, Pete 
King, Dorothy Lee and the Love Joy Sisters. 

Don Francesco, formerly one of the 
leading acts of the Ringling Brothers, 
Barnum and Bailey circus, contributed 
his slack-wire routine. 

Other acts were Paul Mall, known as 
“California’s Joy Boy,” and Billy Farrell 
and Lucille Boots. Paul Mall, in addition 
to his singing, acted as master of cere- 
monies. The orchestra is under the direc- 
tion of Jerry Shea. 

Daylight Saving lor '38 
Ends in Eastern Canada 

Ottawa — The final fling of Daylight 
Saving for 1938 took place over Eastern 
Canada last Sunday when residents of 
cities and towns juggled with clocks once 
again in order to get time back to 
normalcy. Daylight Saving was an emer- 
gency invention during the Great War, 
the purpose of which was to adjust work- 
ing hours in industrial centers so that 
more advantage could be taken of sunlight 
hours, thus effecting an economy in elec- 
tricity. This war relic has worked to the 
disadvantage of theatres ever since. 

Daylight Saving has never been popular 
in Western Canada. It was tried out in 
one or two spots in Saskatchewan but was 
quickly abolished because of the general 
protest. 


Why Acting Is 
Rehearsing 

Montreal — Arthur Sicclair, noted 
Irish stage actor, explains why "film 
acting is not acting — it's just rehears- 
ing" with: 

"You lose something by being so 
quick and clear-cut on the films. You 
can't bring out character unless you 
can stop and hesitate and slur your 
speech, and turn your head on the 
audience sometimes." 

Appellate Affirms 
Picket Restrainer 

Victoria, B. C. — The interim injunction 
against picketing of the Hollywood The- 
atre, Vancouver, and publishing defama- 
tory statements about the management, 
which was granted in a lower court has 
been upheld by the British Columbia court 
of appeal in a judgment handed down 
September 19. 

The appeal was made by officers of the 
British Columbia projectionists union and 
of the Vancouver and New Westminster 
trades and labor council. 

Alfred Bull, K. C., who represented 
Hollywood Theatres, Ltd., in the court 
proceedings contended picketing had been 
started after the union leaders had threat- 
ened to close the theatre. He also claimed 
the union was trying to enforce employ- 
ment of union labor for which no clause 
v/as shown in the contract. Handbills by 
pickets contained untrue information 
derogatory to the theatre, he told the court. 

J. A. Campbell, who appeared for the 
unions, complained that the granting of 
the injunction virtually defeated the Labor 
Act clause under which strikes and 
picketing is permitted. 

Other points arising out of the same 
case are at issue and will probably come 
before the court at a later date. 


Royal Alexandra House 
Opens Alter Renovations 

Toronto — Following renovation work 
which had been in progress for the pre- 
ceding three weeks at a cost of $5,000, the 
Royal Alexandra Theatre opened for the 
fall and winter seasons. The innovations 
included a new draw curtain. The play 
presented during the week just ended was 
the comedy hit, “The Women.” 

Sir Cedric Hardwicke, George M. Cohan, 
Ethel Barrymore and Gertrude Lawrence 
will be among the stars of the stage and 
screen who will appear at this theatre 
during the season just starting. 


Premiere for “King" 

New York — Paramount world premiered 
“If I Were King” Sept. 27 at the Para- 
mount Theatre here. 


86 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 




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362 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


87 



Formulate Parade 
Plans in Toronto 

Toronto — Plans for a huge parade to 
be held here on October 22 In connection 
with the Motion Pictures’ Greatest Year 
campaign, were formulated at a meeting 
of the film publicity and radio committee 
held here the past midweek. 

Dewey D. Bloom, chairman, presided at 
the meeting and Morris Stein of Famous 
Players outlined the parade’s purpose. All 
branches of the industry in Toronto and 
representatives of all Canadian exchanges 
attended the conference. 


Exhibition Traces 
Industry's Growth 

Winnipeg — Heralded with a lavish ar- 
ray of newspaper advance publicity, the 
Progress of Motion Pictures exhibition, 
arranged by the local committee in con- 
nection with the Motion Pictures’ Great- 
est Year campaign, and to commemorate 
the 50th anniversary of the industry, will 
take place next week in the annex of the 
T. Eaton Co. store. 

This exhibit, only one of its kind in 
Canada, has been arranged by Winnipeg 
theatremen as their contribution to the 
nationwide drive now underway in the 
industry. An administrative committee 
composed of Frank Kershaw, Gordon Sim- 
mons and Harold Bishop, is in charge. 
Sub-committees are in charge of Bob 
Hurwitz, Sim Rost, H. Jernberg, Frank 
Willis, Don Gauld and Tom Pacey. 

The exhibition, which runs all week, 
will be opened by Mayor Queen. On dis- 
play will be the whole range of picture 
production from the old-time flickers to 
latest technique in talkies. Distributors 
will have displays exhibiting their prod- 
ucts. An exhibition of old moving pictures 
and stills has been arranged by Robert 
Hurwitz of the Fox, while Hjalmar Jern- 
berg of the Rio will present a special 
display of western thrillers. An art exhibit 
in which artists will be seen at work 
making cutouts and air brush finishings is 
in charge of Frank Willis of the Metro- 
politan. 

A special feature of the exhibit will be 
a talent hunt and screen test. This will 
be conducted every day of the exhibition. 
The results of the test will be incorporated 
in a special film which will be shown at 
the Garrick Theatre for one week com- 
mencing October 7. A print will be sent to 
Hollywood for viewing by film producers. 

Winnipeg Tribune 
Has a Good Word 

Winnipeg- — The Winnipeg Tribune tosses 
an unsolicited editorial bouquet with the 
following to the industry: 

“More than a year ahead lies the 50th 
anniversary of Oct. 6, 1889, the great day 
on which Thomas A. Edison first revealed 
the miracle of pictures that moved, but 
the industry is taking time by the fore- 
lock in preparing to celebrate the event. 

“Already, a series of institutional adver- 
tisements has been launched in the news- 
papers of the United States and Canada, 
sponsored by the leading exhibitors, dis- 


What Is Your 
Trade I-Q? 


1. Does the unanimous condemnation by 
the Ontario ITA of the motion picture 
drive, obligate the exhibitor members to 
subscribe to the organization’s stand? 

2. What stand has been taken on vaude- 
ville by the F-P Corp.? 

3. What has lent credence to the report 
that Oscar Deutsch of the Odeon cir- 
cuit in England is considering estab- 
lishment of a chain in this country? 

4. What has kept the annual six-day bi- 
cycle race out of Ottawa this year? 

5. Which way admissions? 

(Answers on page 92) 


tributors and producers of the two coun- 
tries. These advertisements are excep- 
tional in that they are devoted, not to one 
firm or product, but to the industry as a 
whole. They are no mere “build-up” in 
the familiar sense of that phrase. They 
invite criticism — a rather startling thing 
for an advertisement to do — criticism of 
the whole industry or any part or product 
thereof. 

“The motion picture is perhaps more 
criticised, day after day and week after 
week, than any other form of human en- 
terprise — and thrives on it. In no great 
industry is the ratio of ‘intangibles’ so 
high. The industry is in the business of 
‘selling shadows,’ but what the movie pa- 
tron buys is the stuff of life. 

“ ‘As Omar Khayyam wrote: 

I often wonder what the vintners buy 

One half so precious as the stuff they 
sell.’ 

“For this reason, advertising is more 
vital to the motion picture industry than 
any other. Motion picture men know how 
to advertise — they have to know. The fact 
that they recognize the value of institu- 
tional advertising, and that they give un- 
questioned pre-eminence to the daily 
newspaper as an advertising medium, is no 
accident. It is the result of long experi- 
ence and full knowledge of the whole ad- 
vertising field.” 


It Must Be Good 

New York — A medal award as “the 
outstanding picture of the month” has 
been accorded to Paramount’s Technicolor 
production, “Men With Wings,” by Parents 
Magazine prior to its general release. 


Role for Raft 

Hollywood — Having patched up salary 
difficulties with Paramount, George Raft 
has drawn the leading role in “The Lady’s 
From Kentucky.” 


Early . But Not 
Too Early 

Calgary- Alta. — J. B. Barron of the 
Grand here, when queried as to his 
purchase or acquiring control of a 
theatre in Winnipeg, stated that the 
report was premature. "But," he added, 
"it is time for, and there is room for, 
a new theatre chain in the west." 


A War Crisis Reel 
Passes in Ontario 

Ottawa — The current edition of “March 
of Time,” featuring the Czech-German 
crisis under the title of “Prelude to Con- 
quest,” has been approved by the Ontario 
Board of Moving Picture Censors, although 
the reel is reported to have been with- 
drawn in England at the request of the 
authorities and also placed on the banned 
list in France. 

Its first run at the Capitol Theatre, 
Ottawa, this week has been played up by 
Manager Ray Tubman as a special short 
because of the general excitement over the 
European situation. 


Prescott Building Held 
Up By Demand lor Steel 

Ottawa — A hint of what may result 
from war conditions is found in the con- 
struction of the New Theatre in Prescott, 
in the Ottawa district. The house, which 
is to be the first theatre in that town, 
was to have opened September 1, but the 
erection has been delayed because of the 
non-delivery of structural steel which was 
ordered some time ago. The steel plants 
are said to be busy filling munitions man- 
ufacturers’ orders. Dividson & Smith are 
the architects for the structure. 

Prescott is the Canadian town opposite 
to Ogdensburg, N. Y„ to which many 
Canadians have been going for their film 
entertainment. Schine’s Pontiac and 
Strand theatres in Ogdensburg, in the 
meantime, have been flooding Prescott with 
window cards and other forms of adver- 
tising to attract the Canucks to the U. S. 
town. When the New Theatre is com- 
pleted on the Canadian side, the interna- 
tional rivalry should become quite keen. 


Broadcasting Moves Near 
Canadian Little Theatre 

Montreal— To assist the legitimate the- 
atre in Canada and move nearer “the 
main potential sources of artistic ma- 
terial,” the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. 
will establish closer relations with the 
Little Theatre movement. 

In elaborating the announcement of new 
policy, Gladstone Murray, CBC general 
manager, said he felt public service broad- 
casting should ally itself with the Little 
Theatre movement on whose shoulders has 
fallen the major task of perpetuating the 
legitimate theatre in Canada. 

He said Mrs. Louis White of the Ottawa 
Drama League now is in Toronto study- 
ing radio production methods and he 
hoped other Little Theatre groups would 
have an opportunity to examine dramatic 
production over the air first-hand. 

The CBC plans to aid production of 
plays over the air through cooperation 
with the Little Theatre groups will be 
given Canadian writers in this connection. 


88 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 



J^UMORS of war have had no deterrent 
effect on the theatre attendance in 
suburban Montreal, if one may judge from 
the experience of “Bill” Wright, manager 
of the Monkland Theatre, serving a large 
section of Notre Dame de Grace. Wright 
says the upward impetus was particularly 
noticeable after Labor Day, marking the 
return of suburban families from their 
summer homes. He also credits good 
pictures. 

Consolidated Theatres (which are Mon- 
treal’s largest), the Capitol, Palace, Prin- 
cess and Imperial, are giving outdoor dis- 
play to the “Quiz” questions in “Motion 
Pictures’ Greatest Year” $250,000 contest. 
The artistry of the display is notable and 
the subject of compliment. 

Many wealthy in Great Britain own their 
private cinemas. Lord Louis Mountbatten, 
personal Naval A. D. C. to King George, 
has one at Brook House, Mayfair, Lon- 
don. Other owners include Lady Yule, 
widow of a Scottish super-millionaire; Al- 
fred Chester Beatty, copper mine mag- 
nate; A. G. Hilleraby, coal owner; Sir 
Hugo Cunliffe-Owen, and the Maharajah 
of Rajpipia. Joseph Kennedy, United 
States ambassador, brought his own port- 
able projectors to London from the United 
States. 

Snow White, Mickey Mouse and Popeye 
are the favorite film characters of the 
Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. 
Their royal parents like light comedies and 
have seen every Will Hay picture. Nature 
study films were the preferred entertain- 
ment of the late George V. 

Last outdoor film entertainment of the 
season in Montreal was given at Oxford 
Park by M. Archambault, projectionist in 
charge of the Molsons outdoor exhibi- 
tions. A travelogue of the Fiji Islands and 
western films were shown to a large crowd. 

Owing to the disappearance of Mon- 
treal’s Maroons, hockey club, the manage- 
ment of the Forum has engaged for the 
vacant doA.es a number of top-notch 
American bands. There have been so many 
of these extraneous entertainments lately 
theatres have suffered from the competi- 
tion. 

Visitors to Filmrow include: George 
Gray, Wonderland, Magog; U. H. Pelltier, 
Alma, River Bend; Paul Cardinal, Roxy, 
Montreal; Raymond Gouge, Rialto, Que- 
bec; D. Rosenberg, Canada, Montreal; T. 
Trow, Imperial, Three Rivers, and J. 
Costis, Palace, Granby. 

I. Sourkes of Grand National Pictures 
held special screenings of the film “Dam- 
aged Goods,” for a group of civic and 
provincial health officers and medical 
men, and for Mayor Adhemar Raynault 
and a group of aldermen of the City of 
Montreal. Sourkes has received a number 
of letters from health officials, including 
Dr. A. Lapierre, director-general of the 
ministry of health of the province of 
Quebec, praising the film. 

B. E. Norrish, managing director of 
Associated Screen News, has returned from 
a trip to the Pacific coast. 


Paralysis Victim 
Sees Show 

Montreal — Inez Woollam. 23-year-old 
St. Boniface stenographer, who has re- 
quired an iron lung respirator in her 
fight against infantile paralysis for al- 
most two years, saw a motion picture 
from her hospital bed in Winnipeg. 
James Durbin, father of Actress Deanna 
Durbin, staged a special show for Miss 
Woollam. 

' 

Aware of Screen's 
Educative Powers 

St. John — “Imagine how surprised peo- 
ple would have been 15 years ago if you 
suggested to them that the motion pic- 
ture should stand beside the church, the 
home and the school as an educating in- 
fluence — but now the screen is recognized 
as among the greatest influences in mould- 
ing minds and morals in the entire world.” 

This was the comment of Mrs. Charles 

H. Sutherland of Sydney, N. S., convener 
of films for the Imperial Order Daugh- 
ters of the Empire, Provincial Chapter of 
Nova Scotia, on a visit to this city. 

Mrs. Sutherland, it was pointed out in a 
newspaper interview, has been mainly re- 
sponsible for the appointment of film 
conveners in all Nova Scotia primary 
chapters, even recommending the naming 
of local conveners in areas where there 
are no theatres so members may study 
film trends and have knowledge of the 
best in pictures when they get the op- 
portunity to see them. 

Not only is the I.O.D.E. concerned with 
films made in England, she said, but the 
order also stands for the support of the 
“better” pictures and those with British, 
historical or educational subjects as their 
themes. She sends lists of all English 
films, with notes about them, to the many 
local chapters. 

Telling of the activity of the Sydney 
chapters, she said special matinees are 
held for school children whenever a 
patriotic or other especially desirable film 
is booked. Short subjects, chosen by the 

I. O.D.E. committee, deal with travel, na- 
ture study or scientific progress. 

Mrs. Sutherland commended the co- 
operation evidenced by theatre managers 
and branch executives in providing the 
special programs. 

The I.O.D.E. also sponsors patriotic- 
theme pictures as a money-making pro- 
ject. Another activity has been the dis- 
tribution of slides of King George to the- 
atres not possessing them. 

Efforts have been made, she said, to 
arrange for a “movie corner” in public 
libraries where books concerning current 
films and stills of the pictures might be 
on display, as well as lists of “approved” 
films for the guidance of parents. A reso- 
lution passed by the National I.O.D.E. had 
asked that all pictures shown in Canada 
be classified under the headings of “adult” 
or “universal.” 


VAM 


COI 




^HE OLD GLOBE, remodeled, will hence- 
forth be known as “The Paradise,” and 
the leaseholder, R. John Dawson, is push- 
ing the construction with intent to open 
late in October. In preparation for an 
early opening the following contracts have 
been placed, with “RUSH” on each of 
them: Dominion Sound Equipment Co., 
Mirrophonic sound; Empire Agencies, pro- 
jectors; La Salle Recreations, 1,000 seats. 

G. Baiss, Capitol Theatre, Duncan, B. C., 
spent a few busy days in the city lining 
up new season bookitigs. 

Jack Conway, M-G-M director, came 
down from the mountains and forest load- 
ed with trophies of the chase, and is now 
an enthusiastic booster for big game hunt- 
ing in B. C. He promises to bring Clark 
Gable with him when he comes back again 
next year. 

United Artists’ “Drums” is dated for a 
first run here at the Plaza and its advent 
is to be featured by special exploitation 
with specialists brought in to direct it. 

Jim Patterson, 20th-Fox, just back from 
a trip on The Island, reports theatre at- 
tendance as “not so good,” as in some of 
the mining towns the miners have been 
working on greatly reduced time, and the 
forest fires, this summer, cut down log- 
ging operations with a consequent shrink- 
age in payrolls. 

With the absorption of Educational 
Films by Grand National, the sale of the 
former has been placed in the hands of 
L. A. Allen, district manager for GN in 
British Columbia. 

R. John Dawson’s sister, who spent the 
past eight months in Honolulu, returned 
last week. 

' Damaged Goods' Lauded 
By Minister of Health 

Winnipeg — An unusual event, arising 
out of the scheduled showing of Grand 
National's “Damaged Goods,” occurred 
when H. J. Allan, western manager, re- 
ceived a congratulatory letter from the 
provincial minister of health, and as- 
surance of the wholehearted support of 
the department in the promotion of the 
film. This unprecedented step was 
prompted by the vital nature of the sub- 
ject of the film and appreciation on the 
part of the government of the need for 
dissemination of its message. 



30 TO 50% MORE LIGHT 


‘DUO LIGHT-MASTER' 

Super Low Intensity 
Projection Lamp 
14-Inch Reflector 

More light at no in- 
crease in operating cost 
— Clearer and sharper 
black and white pic- 
tures — Truer and bet- 
ter quality color pic- 
ture projection. 


— 


m 


hSU 


i a 


BOXOFFICE October 1, 1938 


89 



fjERBERT SWAN, who now manages the 
Empire at Harvey Station, N. B., hav- 
ing purchased the new sound equipment 
installed recently by Earle McCutcheon of 
Fredericton, invited the whole community 
to be his guests at a gala opening. Guest 
speakers urged the cooperation of the 
general public to “put over” this and 
other rural theatres. 

Of incidental interest to theatremen was 
the wedding in St. Thomas Aquinas 
Church, Halifax, of Dorilda Affleck, only 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Affleck, 
to Gerald J. Gillespie of Moncton, N. B. 
The bride’s father, successful insurance 
man, was for years owner and operator of 
the Orpheus, Halifax. 

Mayor Frank King of Shelburne, N. S., 
who operates the Magnet, was a visitor on 
Filmrow, St. John, with Mrs. King . . . 
Still another Nova Scotian mayor-theatre- 
man seen along Filmrow was Frank S. 
Sobey of Stellarton, N. S„ operator of the 
Jubilee in Stellarton and the Roxy in 
Westville, N. S. . . . And still another, 
N. W. Mason, who directs town affairs in 
New Glasgow, N. S., as well as operating 
the Roseland and Academy, sent word to 
friends in St. John that he was being 
delayed on his motor trip . . . Mr. and 
Mrs. Fred Gregor — he’s proprietor of the 
Majestic, New Waterford, N. S. — were in 
St. John the other day. 

St. John’s Filmrow looked upon it as a 
promising portent for the success of the 
Movie Quiz that a flood of puzzled in- 
quiries was made by patrons of theatre 
managers as to apparent inconsistencies 
between the questions and the films, be- 
fore official announcement was made 
through the press that errors had crept 
into the booklet. 

Through the cooperation of the Empire 
Theatre management, the St. John Catho- 
lic orphans’ welfare committee staged a 
special midnight show featuring “Moun- 
tain Music.” The good-will gesture will 
finance an annual picnic and Christmas 
treat for the orphans. 

Touring the Maritimes on a speaking 
tour is Fred Goforth, giving church groups 
a motion picture travelogue in the mak- 
ing of which he traveled 10,000 miles in 
China last summer. 

Friends in the Maritimes of Alice Chis- 
holm, St. John dancer who has been seen 
frequently in pictures as a member of the 
Theodor Kosloff ballet, were interested to 
learn that she recently took part in the 
spectacular Hollywood Bowl classic dance 
program directed by the famed Russian 
ballet-master. 

Wyrley Birch, veteran character actor 
of the stage and screen, commented while 
visiting the Maritimes with the “White- 
oaks” company that the cool climate and 
scenic picturesqueness of the eastern 
provinces make them an ideal vacation- 
land. So he’ll be back next summer with 
his family, he says, as a plain ordinary 
motor tourist. 


Sask. Trade Asks 
Itinerant Control 

Saskatoon, Sask. — Stricter supervision 
by both the government and the film in- 
dustry of the province of itinerant ex- 
hibitors in the 16mm and 35mm fields, 
with a more complete enforcement of the 
Cinematograph Act regulations, will be 
asked of the Saskatchewan government by 
the Saskatchewan Motion Picture Exhibi- 
tors’ Ass’n. 

Such was the decision of the annual 
meeting held here Sunday in the Bessbor- 
ough Hotel by the exhibitors’ association. 
The inroads of the itinerant exhibitors, 
and the failure particularly of the 16mm 
exhibitor to comply with rulings regarding 
the operation of “educational” shows for 
profit, were the source of much discus- 
sion at the convention. 

Add to Officers 

The meeting was also marked by the re- 
election of the complete slate of officers 
with the addition of several names for 
the purpose of dividing the executive duties 
into zones in order to more adequately 
represent the whole province. This fol- 
lowed the recommendation of a nominat- 
ing committee. 

The officers of 1938-39 are: P. W. 
Mahon, Prince Albert, president; E. P. 
Fields, Moose Jaw, vice-president; W. 
Novak, Regina, secretary; H. Hurwitz, Sas- 
katoon, assistant secretary; I. Reinhorn, 
Regina, treasurer; F. W. Miley, Saskatoon, 
director for north Saskatchewan; G. R. 
Miller, Wynyard, director for northeast 
Saskatchewan; Frank Shepherd, Biggar, 
director for western Saskatchewan; H. S. 
Humphrey, Grenfel, director for southeast 
Saskatchewan; R. C. Sutherland, Wey- 
burn, director for southern Saskatchewan; 
A. L. Dove, Bengough, director for south- 
west Saskatchewan. 

When the meeting opened Jack Fields, 
Moose Jaw, proposed two minutes of si- 
lence as a tribute to the late Charles 
Durham and H. Martin, exhibitors who 
passed away during the year. An expres- 
sion of sympathy to H. A. Bercovich, Re- 
gina, was passed on a report of the loss 
of the Rex Theatre in a disastrous fire. 

The treasurer, I. Reinhorn, reported a 
slight balance in the association treasury. 
H. A. Bercovich and C. Bahymowski, Re- 
gina, were named auditors for this year. 

President Mahon, in his address, stressed 
the value of the association membership 
in dealing with the different government 
and governing bodies in Saskatchewan. 
In this he was joined by Frank Miley, Sas- 
katoon, who also introduced the discussion 
on the need of more equitable express 
rates for film. This topic was further dis- 
cussed at the luncheon at which represent- 
atives of the express companies were pres- 
ent. 

Study Standards Act 

The question was finally referred to 
the executive. No action was taken in 
regard to the desire of some exhibitors to 
have the present film contracts referred 
to the attorney-general of the province 
for an opinion. It was felt by some that 


Cd T T A W A 

jyjANAGER DONAT PAQUIN of the 
Laurier Theatre has added the 
French news reel, Eclair Gazette, to his 
program. The Laurier, which presents 
features from France at regular intervals, 
enjoys a large following of French-Cana- 
dian fans. 

The Quebec law prohibiting the admis- 
sion of children under 16 years of age to 
moving picture theatres does not mean a 
thing to the boys and girls of Hull. When 
they ivant to see a picture show they 
merely cross the river to Ottawa on the 
Ontario side where they are admitted 
without hindrance. 

Government officials and leading mem- 
bers of the business community in large 
numbers attended the obsequies of John 
Corcoran of Ottawa, father-in-law of Don 
B. Stapleton, manager of the Center The- 
atre, requiem high mass being chanted in 
St. Patrick’s Church. The projectionists 
and all other employes of the theatre at- 
tended the funeral in a body. 

Manager T. R. Tubman of the Ottawa 
Capitol has been booming a new free park- 
ing arrangement for patrons at the newly- 
opened “Auto Servicentre,” a recent auto- 
motive trade development. 

I. Singerman, manager of the Imperial 
Theatre, has boosted night admission 
prices to 25 and 30 cents, an increase of a 
nickel. 

The initial move has been made for the 
re-establishment of a dramatic stock com- 
pany in the Capitol, this being the first 
repertoire unit since the Johnny Galvin 
Players in the era before talking pictures. 
The unused Family Theatre has been sug- 
gested as the base of operations but much 
renovating would have to be done. 

Further prosperity is on the horizons 
for Ottawa theatres with the announce- 
ment that 7,000 employes of the Dominion 
government are to receive increases in pay. 
Many of them have already received the, 
boost and the pay envelopes were bulging 
because the raises were retroactive to 
Sept. 1, 1937 — one year back. 


the contracts were too embracing from the 
film company angle. However, many were 
inclined to believe it was purely an in- 
dividual problem. 

Following the complaints of the in- 
cursion of 16mm and 35mm itinerant op- 
erators heard at the morning sessions, 
the problem again came up for discussion 
at the luncheon when G. Deaultry, repre- 
senting the Saskatoon Trades and Labor 
Council, warned the industry it was to 
blame for any trouble it now found itself 
in because it had failed to protect itself 
by appealing to the government for strict 
operation of the Cinematograph Act. He 
suggested exhibitors should demand reg- 
ulations be enforced. His organization was 
prepared to back the industry in such de- 
mands. 

A committee composed of H. A. Ber- 
covich, W. Novak, E. P. Melds and R. C. 
Sutherland was appointed to study the 
new Industrial Standards Act and its re- 
lation to the industry. 


90 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


Back With Trophies 


Montreal — Bronzed and fit and minus 
15 pounds after 10 days’ big game hunting 
in the rugged territory north of Mount 
Robson along the borders of Jasper Na- 
tional Park, John T. “Jack” Conway, 
M-G-M film director, has arrived at Van- 
couver en route to his Beverly Hills home. 
“We got everything the law allowed,” was 
his enthusiastic comment. Although he 
shot among other game a brace of grizzly 
bear near the headquarters of the Moose 
River, he brought out with him only a 
moose and caribou as souvenirs. 

Originally Conway had planned the trip 
with Clark Gable, whom he just com- 
pleted directing in “Too Hot to Handle.” 
Private business forced Gable to cancel 
his plans at the last minute but his guns 
went on the trip nevertheless. 

“Next year I hope he will come with 
them himself,” said Conway. “He would 
enjoy that country to the full.” 


WINNIPEG 

TAMES DURBIN, father of Winnipeg- 

born Deanna Durbin, will be a special 
visitor at the motion picture exhibit which 
will be held next week . . . For his show- 
ing of “Four Daughters,” Harold Bishop 
of the Capitol had two girls make tele- 
phone calls through to the women of the 
house, telling them about the picture. 

A timely showing at the Capitol is the 
March of Time issue dealing with Czecho- 
slovakia. Manager Bishop arranged for a 
meeting of local Czechs at which the film 
will he brought to their attention. The 
meeting was made possible through M. 
Steinkop, Czech consul in Winnipeg. 

Films in the Yiddish tongue are on the 
increase with “Cantor’s Son” playing 
here during the past week and “Green 
Fields” scheduled for a showing the fol- 
lowing week. 

Plans for reconstructing the Provencher 
Block, burned down last spring, were ap- 
proved by St. Boniface council at a special 
meeting, pending the favorable report by 
the building inspector . . . Construction of 
an up-to-date moving picture theatre will 
be a feature, M. M. Halparin, the owner of 
the block, stated. He estimated the cost of 
the total work at $100,000. 


Remake "Guardsman" 

Hollywood — Metro has assigned Robert 
Z. Leonard to produce and direct “The 
Guardsman,” filmed in early talking 
picture days with Alfred Lunt and Lynne 
Fontanne heading the cast. 

Hans Kraly has completed the script. 


Baxter Will Repeat "Cisco Kid" 

Hollywood — Twentieth-Fox announces 
plans to remake “The Cisco Kid,” filmed 
by the old Fox corporation in 1931 with 
Warner Baxter starred, for the 1938-39 
program. Baxter will repeat his role. 


Scenics of Quebec 
Praised by Critic 


Montreal — “It is good news that the 
provincial authorities have decided that 
Quebec shall be advertised upon the screen 
and have let out a contract to Columbia 
Pictures for a 1,000-foot one-reel scenic, to 
be shown in 5,000 American and Canadian 
film theatres,” comments the veteran dra- 
matic critic, S. Morgan-Powell. “The idea 
has been urged by me for years past. Asso- 
ciated Screen News has made some beau- 
tiful scenics on their own initiative. But 
hitherto Quebec has not followed the lead 
of the sister province of Ontario or of the 
federal government, whose motion pic- 
ture department has contributed some 
beautiful films revealing the splendor of 
Canadian scenery in the Rockies and else- 
where. 

“Now Quebec is to have its own scenic, 
sponsored by its own government. The 
locations selected the Laurentians, Mur- 
ray Bay, the Gaspe — are admirable. But 
the Eastern Townships should also have 
been included. Montreal, Quebec and one 
or two other cities are to be shown. The 
pictures will be done in Technicolor, and 
it is estimated that within the next two 
years they will be seen by more than 25 
million people in the United States and 
throughout Canada. 

“So far, so good. But why only one pic- 
ture, and why only 1,000 feet in length? 
That is, I admit, the average length of 
the one-reel scenic film; but the best 
scenics — they are from South Africa — are 
shown in two reels. That enables a con- 
siderably wider scope, and permits of a 
brief but entirely adequate running com- 
ment as the picture is unfolded on the 
screen. If a job like this is worth doing — 
and nobody can deny that in this case it 
ought to have been done long ago — then 
by all means let us go in for it upon a 
scale worthy of our scenic resources. 

“Quebec is worth showing to the United 
States, and to the world beyond. I hope 
that this first scenic will find its way not 
only through the States but overseas to 
Britain, to South Africa and to Australia. 
I have always felt that a steady inter- 
change of good scenics between the Dom- 
inions would be one of the most potent fac- 
tors in enabling the peoples of those 
Dominions to learn to understand one an- 
other better, to realize the great heritage 
of each Dominion, which is also the heri- 
tage of them all. Good luck to Quebec’s 
first government-sponsored scenic.” 


Discriminating in 
Dictators 

Montreal — G. W. Pabst, German-Jew- 
ish director expelled from Germany by 
the Nazis, has prevailed upon Kemal 
Ataturk, Turkey's dictator, to play a 
stellar role in a Parisian film glorify- 
ing his iron rule. 


Just T ravelin 


Calgary, Alta. — John Hazza, director of 
theatres in Alberta for the Famous Play- 
ers Canadian chain, left Calgary on six 
months’ leave of absence. He proceeds 
leisurely to Florida where he will spend 
the winter, calling at Regina, Winnipeg 
and Toronto en route. 

Eddie Zorn, who came recently from 
New Jersey to manage the Capitol, will 
take over the duties of Alberta theatre 
management. 

Hazza is equally as noted a horseman 
to western prairie folk as he is a theatre- 
man. He has long owned and run the 
Rocky Mountain Polo Ranch where he en- 
tertained many visitors to the west. Owner 
of a racing stable, he was an ardent sup- 
porter of western horse breeding. During 
the summer racing season just gone his 
horses were entered at every meet, occa- 
sionally appearing in the money. 



TWO of the big picture successes are 

being held over for extra weeks at first- 
run theatres here. These are “Marie 
Antoinette,” kept for a third week at 
Loew’s and “Four Daughters,” held for a 
second week at the Uptown. 

Although Mrs. Jane McKaig of Wal- 
laceburg, Ont., celebrates her 99th birth- 
day in one week from now, she never has 
been to a motion picture show and says 
she has no desire to see one. 

It is reported here that Ben Blue, film 
comedian, has offered Sammy Luftspring, 
Toronto welterweight fighter, who is an 
international star in the squared circle, a 
good-sized sum for his contract. 

Toronto office of Grand National re- 
ports that Hec. Duncan, manager in Cal- 
gary, has made an arrangement with the 
Grand Theatre there for most of the prod- 
uct of the company. 

Ben Ulster, well-known Toronto ex- 
hibitor, is engaged to marry Miss Mildred 
Sandler of this city. 

W. A. Perry, general manager of Em- 
pire-Universal Films, announces that the 
company will distribute no less than 107 
features in the Dominion during the corn- 
ing season, the pictures to be distributed 
to be the product of Universal, Republic, 
Educational, and GB. Twelve features are 
scheduled to come from latter company. 

Congratulations to Lionel Lester, sales^- 
man with 20th Century-Fox, on the birth 
of a son. 


Berman to Be Producer 
On Cantor Solo for RKO 

Hollywood — Eddie Cantor has signed 
a one-film deal with RKO. Pandro S. Ber- 
man will personally produce the comedy 
in which Cantor will appear for the studio, 
vehicle to go before the cameras within 
six months. 

Cantor recently obtained his release 
from a 20th Century-Fox contract. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


91 




Film of Great War 
To Originals Club 

By ROY CARMICHAEL 

Montreal — Thirty thousand feet of of- 
ficial Canadian battle film, long the pro- 
perty of the censor board and the defunct 
motion picture bureau before that, has 
been presented by Premier Hepburn of 
Ontario and his government to the Origi- 
nals Club, for the use not only of members 
of that organization but of other soldier 
associations as well. 

This film, portraying some of the most 
“memorable actions in which the Cana- 
dian corps participated from 1914 to 1919,” 
will be more or less held in trust by the 
Originals Club. All applications from out- 
side units for showings must be made to 
them. These applications will not be re- 
ceived until after October 1. 

“We are very grateful to the prime 
minister for his splendid gift,” said 
Thomas Hobbs, Originals Club president, 
“and we intend to make the very best pos- 
sible use of it. The films are of great 
historical value and exceedingly interest- 
ing, and every organization that wants 
them shown will, as the Premier desires, 
be given a chance to see them.” 

Some of the most striking “shots” deal 
with the Ypres salient before arrival of 
the steel helmets. The terrible conditions 
of trench existence in Plug street are 
depicted with both artillery and infantry 
wallowing about in it all. The Princess 
Patricias, on the march, are also shown 
in this series. The Somme film shows 
tanks in action and pictures of Courcelette. 
Another series deals with the Arras-Cam- 
brai stage of the “last hundred days.” Cam- 
brai is pictured in all its agony. Closeups 
of the "Hindenburg Line” are included. 

There is also a short bit compiled from 
film taken by a German submarine oper- 
ating against British merchantmen. The 
film is of the 28 millimeter variety requir- 
ing special projection apparatus. Premier 
Hepburn has arranged with Chairman 
Silverthorne of the censor board, who 
has cooperated closely with the Originals 
in the project, to supply needed equipment 
at a minimum cost. 

Offer Col. John Cooper 
A High Red Cross Post 

Ottawa — The Canadian Red Cross So- 
ciety, in its preparation for international 
eventualities in the face of the European 
crisis, has offered the important post of 
national commissioner to Col. John A. 
Cooper, president of the Motion Picture 
Distributors Ass’n, with full jurisdiction 
over all branches of the Red Cross service 
throughout the Dominion. 

In the event of war in which Canada 
would be directly involved as a part of the 
British Empire, Col. Cooper, if he accepts 
the invitation, would have direction of 
Canadian Red Cross activities in relation 
to the army service both at home and with 
an expeditionary force. In the Great War, 
no less than 550,000 soldiers served in the 
Canadian Overseas forces while many oth- 
ers were stationed within the Dominion, 


THEATRE business in general met with 
stiff competition from the Provincial 
Exhibition in Victoria and the horse rac- 
ing but with the interest aroused in the 
“Quiz” pictures, the local theatres are 
holding their own. 

The showing of “Farewell to Arms” at 
the Plaza Theatre in Victoria met with 
so much success that Manager Calladine 
found it necessary to hold it over for three 
days. 

“Alexander’s Ragtime Band” drew bum- 
per crowds at the Capitol and was held 
over for three days. Assistant Manager 
Martin Cave reports publicity was secured 
by newspaper advertising, a full window 
tieup with a local five and ten store using 
stills and standee, records at all music 
stores, strips on all trucks of a local trans- 
fer company, a tieup with leading beauty 
parlor, full window display with a chain 
store tying up a popular beauty line, and 
a good display of window cards and one 
sheets covering the city. 

A series of moving pictures showing 
local events in the nature of hometown 
newsreel was an attraction at the Pro- 
vincial Exhibition at Victoria. 

A controversy of months between pro- 
jectionists and theatre owners was settled 
this month when the British Columbia 
government announced a change in its 
moving picture safety regulations. The 
new regulation provides that in every 
theatre equipped with two or more kine- 
matographs there shall be two licensed 
projectionists. Theatre owners claimed 
that one man and an apprentice were 
sufficient. 

In an address in Victoria recently Sir 
Harry Lindsay, K.C.I.E., director of the 
Imperial Institute in London, stated that 
England wants more films of Canada. The 
Empire film library was doing excellent 
work, he said, circulating 1,600 films to 
3,000 schools and societies. 

Sport of Kings, a race revue on the 
stage, proved a popular drawing attrac- 
tion at the Capitol last week. With Jack 
Short, radio racing announcer, as master 
of ceremonies, race horse owners, jockeys, 
trainers, and others connected with the 
track were on the program. A local hotel 
orchestra was engaged to provide apppro- 
priate musical background. A tieup with 
the race track provided the publicity. 

The campaign for “ Motion Pictures’ 
Greatest Year” is being ballyhooed all 


and the Red Cross engaged in work of 
great magnitude under the commissioner- 
ship of Col. Noel Marshall. 

Col. Cooper, who holds wide influence 
in the motion picture field in the Domin- 
ion, has been an officer of the Red Cross 
for years as one of his personal com- 
munity and patriotic interests. After many 
years as an officer in the Queen’s Own 
Rifles, Toronto, he organized and became 
the officer commanding the Canadian 
Buffs Battalion in the Great War, serv- 
ing with the unit on the Western Front 
over a period of many months. 


over the city. Thousands of one-sheets, 
window cards, banners, newspaper adver- 
tising, a?id artistic lobby displays bearing 
the signatures of the Capitol, Dominion 
and Atlas theatres have aroused consider- 
able interest in the Quiz contest. 

A tieup with the Nabob Co., in which 
the Famous Players Corp. theatres, the 
Capitol, Dominion and Atlas, gave free 
children’s admission with a Nabob coupon 
off some of the household provisions of the 
company ended this month after a year’s 
successful running. Thousands of kiddies 
took the opportunity of seeing the shows 
each week. 

Managers J. M. Robertson, Capitol, C. 
Denham, Dominion, and M. Prieswerck, 
Atlas, are back in the city after attending 
the three-day convention of the Western 
District Famous Players Corp., held in 
Vancouver to commemorate the 20th an- 
niversary of the Canadian Corp. 

At the convention, Manager J. M. Rob- 
ertson of the Capitol Theatre in Victoria 
was honored, with three others, J. R. Muir, 
F. Gow and Cecil Nebille of Vancouver, for 
having been in the service of the Cana- 
dian Famous Players Corp. since it was 
formed 20 years ago. They were made 
members of the 20-year club and each was 
presented with a gold desk ornament. 

Manager J. M. Robertson of the Capitol 
is expecting a good fall season. He has 
many super important pictures on his 
bookings. 

Many Victorians availed themselves of 
the opportunity offered by Central Films, 
Ltd., of having free screen tests. The film- 
ing was done as an attraction to the Pro- 
vincial Exhibition in Victoria and as a 
means of Central Films securing new tal- 
ent for coming films. Nearly 1,000 per- 
sons witnessed the tests on the opening 
day. A total of 3,000 feet of films was 
taken and a good portion of the story, 
which is being built up on the screen 
tests, was taken. 


Answers to 
I-Q Test 


(Questions on page 88) 

1. ITA members are free to decide for 
themselves whether or not they par- 
ticipate in the “Greatest Year” cam- 
paign. 

2. Reports the chain was negotiating for 
bookings were denied but Toronto Dis- 
trict Manager Morris Stein admitted 
that spot bookings of vaudeville in spe- 
cial locations would be utilized. 

3. The report is backed up by a visit to 
Toronto of H. W. Weedon, chief archi- 
tect for the Odeon circuit. 

4. The bills of last season still remain un- 
paid. 

5. Up. At St. John the 17-cent top Empire 
has gone to 25 cents on two occasions. 
The Capitol at Winnipeg has added five 
cents to its evening tariff as has the 
Osborne. 


92 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


Date at top ol column is week ending. Number in square is 
national release date, 1937-38. Production number is at right. 
Running time follows title. Letter "A" indicates Adult classifi- 
cation, otherwise Family suitability. R — is review date; EP — ex- 
ploitation preview. Symbol O indicates BOXOFFICE Blue Rib- 
bon Award Winner. Symbol ® indicates color photography. 


HooklnG @llGtt 

A GUIDE TO CURRENT RELEASES 


APRIL 16 

APRIL 23 

APRIL 30 

MAY 7 

MAY 14 

MAY 21 | 

g Western 

Overland Express (55) 
(For. The Trail Blazer) 
Buck Jones 

Marjorie Reynolds 

K — Apr. v 

[ 2 q] Comedy 8006 

There's Always a 

Woman (80) 

J. Blonilell-M. Douglas 
EP— Mar. 5; R— Mar. 26 
[is] Action Drama 8021 
Flight Into Nowhere ( 66 ) 

J Holt rt — Mar. 19 

| 25 | Melodrama 8036 

Extortion ( 68 ' 

S. Colton-M. Russell 
|30| Westein 8204 

tall of the Rockies ( 54 ) 

0 . Starrett-I. Meredith 

R — June 18 

|~ 6 ~] Action Drama 8037 
Main Event (55) 

J. Wells-R. Paige 

R — May 14 

g Western 8205 

Law of the Plains (56) 

C. Stewart-Iris Meredith 
R— July 30 


HD 

Zamboanga (60) 

Native Cast. 

R— April 23 

[ 22 ] Melodrama 214 

International Crime (63) 
Rod LaKocque 

Astrld Allwyn 

R— Apr. 23 


[ 7 ] Western 221 

Whirlwind Horseman 
(58 » 

Ken Maynard 

R — July 16 


g Western 224 1 

Six Sliootin’ Sheriff (59) 

Ken Maynard 


[ 22 ] Action Drama 831 
lest Pilot (118) 

C. Gable-M. Loy 

EP— Jan. 22; R— Apr. 23 



g Comedy 833 

Hold That Kiss (74) 

D. O’Keefe-M. O’Sullivan 
Mickey Rooney 

R — May 14 

g Comedy 830 1 

Swiss Miss (73) 

Laurel & Hardy 

EP — Feb. 19; R — May 14 1 

[u] Western 3731) 

Land of Fighting; Men 
(53) 

Jack Randall 
[l 6 | Drama 37X3 

Female Fugitive ( 66 ) 
Evelyn Venable 
c Revnolds R — Apr. 16 


[ 24 ] Western 3729 

Two Gun Justice (57) 

Tim McCoy 

R — June 4 


[~jf| Western 3740 

Gun Smoke Trail (57) 
Jack Randall 


1 ] 

[l 5 | Melodrama 3736 

®Her Jungle Love (81) 
Dorothy Lamour-Ray 
Milland 

EP — Jan. 1; R — Apr. 9 

[ 22 ] Western 3757 

Heart of Arizona ( 68 ) 
William Boyd 

R — Apr. 16 

g Com. with music 3737 
College Swing (87) 

M. Raye-Burns-Allen 

EP — Jan. 15; R — Apr. 23 

[ 6 ] Musical 3739 

Dr. Rhythm (80) 

B. Crosby-Bea Lillie 

R— April 30 

g Rom. Melod’ma 3738 
Stolen Heaven ( 88 ) 

G. Ravmond-O. Bradna 
EP — Feb. 6 ; R — Apr. 30 

[ 20 ] Com. with Music 3740 1 
Cocoanut Grove ( 94 > 

F. M’Murray EP — Mar. 12 1 
R — May 14 

| 4 ] Western 7116 

Outlaws of Sonora (65) 
Three Mesquiteers 

R— April 30 

| 

[X 8 | Adv. Drama 7011 
Call of the Yukon (70) 
(For. Thunder in 

Alaska) R — Apr. 23 

R. Arlen-B. Roberts 
g Western 7800 

Under Western Stars ( 66 ) 

R. Rogers R — Apr. 16 



g Comedy Drama 7023 
Romance on the Run 
( 68 ) 

Donald Woods 

Patricia Ellis 

R — May 7 


I g Comedy 826 

Joy of Living (91) 

I. Dunne-Fairbanks jr. 

R — Mar. 26 

[ 22 ] Comedy 825 

Go Chase Yourself (70) 
Joe Penner-Lucille Ball 
EP — Mar. 19; R— Apr. 16 


|~ 6 ] Melodrama 827 

Law of the Underworld 

(61) 

C. Morris-Ann Shirley 
EP— Mar. 12; R— Mar. 26 

g Comedy 740 

Vivacious Lady (90) 

G. Rogers-J. Stewart 

EP — Jan. 29; R — May 7 
g Western 881 

Gun Law (60) 

Geo. O’Brien; R — May 14 

[ 2 o| Melodrama 829 1 

Blind Alibi (61) 

R. Dix-W. Bourne 

EP — Apr. 2; R — May 14 

[is] Drama 840 

QIn Old Chicago (110) 

T. Power-Alice Faye 

R — Jan. 8 

[ 22 ] Comedy 845 

Battle of Broadway (84) 

V McLaglen-L. Hovick 
EP — Mar. 19; R — Apr. 2 

[ 29 ] Drama 848 

Four Men and a Prayer 

(85) 

Loretta Young 

Richard Greene 

EP — Feb. 26; R — Apr. 30 

|~ 6 ~| Comedy Drama 847 

A Trip to Paris (64) 
Shirley Deane-J. Prouty 
EP — 'Apr. 2: R — Mar. 26 
[ 6 ~| Comedy Drama 874 
Life Begins at 40 ( . . ) 

Will Rogers (reissue) 

g Com. with Music 844 
Kentucky Moonshine 
(85) 

Rltz Bros.-Maj. Weaver 
EP — Mar. 5; R — May 7 

|2p| Comedy 849 1 

Rascals (77) j 

J. Withers-R. Hudson 

R — Apr. 9 

g Romantic Adven. 
©Adventures of Marco 
Polo (104) 

G. Cooper-Slg. Gurle 

R— Feb. 19; EP— Aug. 14 


[ 29 ] Romantic Adven. 
Return of the Scarlet 
Pimpernel (80) 

S. Stewart-B. Barnes 

R— Apr. 16 




[ 15 ] Drama 2022 

Nurse From Brooklyn 
(67) 

Sally Ellers-Paul Kelly 
EP — Mar. 19; R — Apr. 16 

[ 22 I Mystery Drama *087 
Lady in the Morgue (70) 
Preston Foster 

Patricia Ellis 

EP— Mar. 26; R — May 14 

[~l~] Mys. Melodrama 3076 
(Reissue) 

Dracula ( . . ) 

Bela Lugosi 

pjf| Drama 

Sinners in Paradise (65) 
(For. Half Way to 
Shanghai) 

J. Boles-M. Evans 

EP — Apr. 2; R — May 7 

g Action Drama 2038 
Air Devils (60) R-May 14 
D. Purcell-Mamo Clark 
g Melodrama 3072 

Frankenstein (71) 

Boris Karloff-Mae Clark 

| 2 o] Action Drama 

Devil’s Party (67) 

R — May 28 

V. McLaglen-B. Roberts 1 
g Drama Reis-3071 1 

All Quiet on the West- 1 
era Front (87) 

Lew Ayres 

g Comedy FN252 

Fools for Scandal (79) 

1 Carole Lombard 

Fernand Gravet 

EP — Jan. 22; R — ICar. 19 

[ 23 ] Com. Drama FN261 
Women Are Like That 
(65) 

P. O’Rrien-K. Francis 

R — Apr. 16 

[ 30 ] Com. Drama FN267 
Beloved Brat (62) 

B. Granville-D. Costello 
R— Feb. 19 

p 7 ~] Action Drama FN275 
Torehy Blane In Panama 
(59) 

Paul Kelly-Lola Lane 

K — Apr. 23 

g Hist. Drama FN251 
(J ©Adventures of Robin 
Hood (102) 

Errol Flynn 

Olivia de Havilland 

R— May 7 

[ 2 i| Melodrama FN277 1 
Mystery House (56) 

Dick Purcell 

Ann Sheridan 

R — May 1 4 

g Mus. Drama Artc’ma 
New York Nights 
( 68 ) reissue 

Norma Talmadge 

Gilbert Roland 



[Y| Drama GB7005 

To the Victor (78) 

Will Fyffe 

Margaret Lockwood 

K— Feb. 19 

g Drama-Music GB 

Show Goes On ( 68 ) 

Anna Neagle 

Tullio Carmlnatl 

R— Aug. 27 

fn\ Com. Drama Atlantic 1 
Tonight or Never (..) 
Melvyn Douglas 

Gloria Swanson 



)XOFFlCE :: October 1, 1938 



MISCELLANEOUS v WARNER-F. 



(2hatt 

RRENT RELEASES 


OCTOBER. 1938 


s M X W T P S 

1 

8 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 XI 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 19 80 21 22 

23 24 85 86 87 28 89 

3 « 31 


NOVEMBER. 1938 


S M T W T F » 
1 2 3 4 5 

« 7 8 9 10 11 12 

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 

80 81 82 83 24 25 26 

87 88 29 30 


DECEMBER 1938 
S M T W T F * 
1 8 8 
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 
18 19 80 21 88 23 24 
25 26 27 28 29 30 .31 


MAY 28 

JUNE 4 

JUNE 11 

JUNE 18 

JUNE 24 

JULY 2 




[ 15 ] Drama 8001 

^Holiday (93) 

K. Hepburn- C. Grant 

EP — Api. 9; R — May 21 

| 2 q| Western 8211 

Stage Coach Days (58) 
John Luden-E. Stewart 
| 3 p| Western 8206 

West of Cheyenne (53) 
<’ha r les stair^tt 

I. Meredith; R — Sept. 10 

| 27 | Action Drama 

Highway Patrol (58) 

J. Wells-Page — R-Aug.13 
|T| Drama 8019 

City Streets (68) 

(For. City Shadows) 
l.en Cnrnllo-K FellnwR 



1 9 ] Melodrama 222 

Held for Ransom (60) 
Grant Withers 

R — July 30 

|Io] Drama 223 

Life Returns (60) 

Lois Wilson 



[T] Melodrama 225 

I Married a Spy (59) 

Neil Hamilton 

R — July 16 

j 27 j Drama 834 

Yellow Jack (83) 

Robert Montgumerv 

Virg. Bruce R — May 28 

|~ 3 ~| Drama 832 

Three Comrades (98) 
Taylor. Tone, Sullavan, 
Young 

EP — Mar. 26; R — May 28 

[ip] Drama 836 

Toy Wife (95) 

L. Rainer- M. Douglas 

R — June 11 

[ 17 ] Drama 838 

Woman Against Woman 
(61) (For. One Woman’s 

Answer) 

V. Bruce-H. Marshall 

R — June 25 

| 24 | Comedy Drama 837 
Lord Jeff (84) 

Freddie Bartholomew 
Mickey Rooney 

R — June 25 

[T| Adven. Drama 829 
Port of Seven Seas (81) 
W. Beery-M. O’Sullivan 

R — July 16 

H Drama 3709 

Numbered Women (63) 
(For. Private Nurse) 

S. Blane-J. Arledge 

R — May 14 

| 2 !)| Western 3730 

Phantom Ranger (57) 

Tim McCoy 

R — July 2 

]'g'| Comedy Drama 3712 
Marines Are Here (60) 

J. Travers-G. Oliver 


[ 22 ] Outdoor Drama 3702 
Romance of the Limber- 
lost (81) 

Jean Parker-Eric Linden 

R — June 25 


j 27 | Drama 3741 

Hunted Men (67) 

(For. Crime Gives 
Orders) EP — Apr. 2 

L. Nolan-M. Carlisle 

R — May 21 

|~ 3 ~| Rom. Drama Reis-3769 
Farewell to Anns (79) 

G. Cooper-Helen Hayes 

|jp] Drama 3742 

You nnd Me (90) 

Sylvia Sidney-Geo. Raft 

It — June 4 

[ 17 ] Melodrama 3743 

Prison Farm (70) 

S. Ross-L. Nolan 

R — June 25 

[ 24 ] Western 3758 

Bar 20 Justice (70) 

Wm. Boyd (Hopalong 
Cassidy) R — Apr. Lb 


| 23 | Melodrama 7004 

Gangs of New York (67) 
Chas. Bickford 

Ann Dvorak R — May 28 


|~ 6 ~| Western 7127 

Desert Patrol ( 66 ) 

Bob Steele 

R — June 11 

[ 15 ] Western 7117 

Riders of Black Hills(55) 

R — June 25 

[ 13 ] Comedy Drama 701? 
Ladies in Distress (65) 
Mfson Skipwnrth 




[~ 3 ~[ Melodrama 830 

Saint In New York (72) 
Louis Hayward 

Kav Sutton 

R — May 7 

[ip] Action Drama 871 

(Reissue) 

King Kong (99) 

Fay Wray-R. Armstrong 

[ 37 ] Comedy Drama 831 

Derrick de Marney 

Joan Fontaine R-Mav 28 

[ 24 ] Western 882 

Border G-Man (60) 

George O’Brien 

R — June 18 

n Comedy 819 

"nving YYonderful 

Time (70) 

Ginger Rogers 

Douglas Fairbanks jr. 

EP — Oct. 23 

B — June 18 

| 27 | Historical Drama 846 
Kidnapped (90) 

Warner Baxter 

Freddie Bartholomew 

EP — Feb. 12; K — May 28 

|~ 3 ~| Musical Comedy 839 
Josette (70) 

D Ameche-S. Simon 
eT>— F eb. 1 9 

[ip] Comedy 850 

One Wild Night (72)* 

June Lang-D. Baldwin 

R — May 14 

|l 7 | Comedy 851 

Three Blind Mice (75) 

L. Younp-J. McCrea 

R — June 11 

I 24 ] Melodrama 819 

Mr. Moto Takes a 
Chance (63) 

Peter Lorre-R. Hudson 

R — June 18 

n Drama 852 

Always Goodbye (75) 
Barbara Stanwyck 

Herbert Marshall 

R — July 2 




[ 17 ] Drama 

Blockade (85) 

Madeleine Carroll 

Henry Fonda 

R — June 11 



|l 5 | Comedy 3073 

Love Before Breakfast 
(70) 

C. Lombard-P. Foster 
[is] Comedy 3074 

Lady Tubbs (69) 

A. Brady-D. Montgomery 

|~ 3 ~| Western 2058 

Western Trails (57) 

Bob Baker; R — -July 9 
[~ 3 ] Drama 2010 

Wives Under Snspieion 
( 68 ) Warren William 

R — June 11 


[ 17 ] Melodrama 2039 

Young Fugitives ( 68 ) 

D. Kent R — July 2 

|l 7 | Western 2059 

Outlaw Express (56) 

Bob Baker R — July 30 


n Action Drama 2032 
Danger on the Air (65) 
Donald Woods R — July 2 
n Comedy 2005 

Rage of Paris (78) 

Danielle Darrieux 

R — June 18 

| 28 | Action Drama FN256 
(.rime School (86) 

H. Bogart-Gala Page 

R — May 14 

|~ 4 ~| Com- Drama WB210 
Little Miss Thorough- 
bred (63; 

Janet Kay Chapman 

John Lltel 

[u| Mus. Com. WB206 
Gold Diggers in Paris 
< y v i 

Rudy Vailee 

Priscilla Lane 

R — May 21 

[l 8 ] Mys. Drama FN263 
When Were You Born? 

( bt> t 

Anna May Wong 

Margaret Lindsay 

K — June is 

[ 25 ] Drama WB208 

\1 iiite Banners ( 88 ) 
Claude Rains-F. Bainter 
EP — Feb. 26; R — June 4 







|7] Drama GH 

Three on a Weekend (72 
Margaret Lockwood 

John Lodge 

R — June 11 


BOXOFFICE 


October 1, 19: 


JANUABY. 

1939 

FEBRUARY. 

1939 


MARCH 

1939 

s 

M 

T 

w 

T 

F 

& 

& 

At 

T 

W 

T 

t 

S 

8 

M 

T 

W 

X 

F 

> 

] 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 




1 

2 

3 

4 




1 

2 

3 

4 

s 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

12 

13 

11 

15 

10 

17 

!*• 

12 

13 

11 

15 

16 

17 

IS 

22 

2.2 

24 

25 

26 

27 

2* 

19 

20 

21 

22 

2i< 

24 

2-- 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

21 

25 

2ft 

20 

u 





26 

27 

28 





26 

27 

28 

2ft 

30 

M 



Hooking (2hatt 

T O f < 


A GUIDE 


CURRENT RELEASES 


JULY 9 


[~8~] Western 326 
Kollin’ Plains (75) 

Tex Ritter 


JULY 16 


8212 


Pioneer Trail (55) 

John Luden-Joan Barclay 


|fs| Melodrama 227 
The High Command (59) 
Lionel Atwlll 
K — July 30 


JULY 23 


Action Drama 


Reformatory (61) 

Jack Holt-C. Winters 
it — June 26 


[22] Action Drama 228 
Renfrew on the Great 
White Trail (59) 

James Newell 
Terry Walker 


JULY 30 


[28] Western 8207 
5>outli of Arizona (56) 
Chas. Starrett 
Iris Meredith 


AUGUST 6 


AUGUST 13 


|l2] Western 229 

Ltali Trail (59) 

Tex Ritter 


[IT] Comedy Drama 
Fast Company (74) 
Melvyn Douglas 
Florence Rice 
R — July 2 


[l5| Drama 835 

Shopworn Angel (85) 
James Stewart 
Margaret Sullavan 
U— July 9 


[22] Comedy Drama 841 
SjtLove Finds Andy 
Hardy (90) 

Mickey Rooney-Judy 
Garland-Lewis Stone 
K — July 16 


[29] Comedy Drama 812 
The Chaser (75) 

Dennis O’Keefe 
Ann Morriss 
R— July 30 


|~iy| Action Drama 810 
The Crowd Roars (92) 
Robert Taylor 
Maureen O’Sullivan 
R — Aug. 6 


|l2| Comedy Drama 813 
Rich Man, Poor Girl (72) 
(For. It’s Now or Never) 
It. Young- R. Hussey 
R — Aug. 13 


j~6~| Western 3742 
Man’s Country (55) 

Jack Randall 
R — Aug. 6 


|~3~| Outdoor Drama 3810 
Barefoot Boy (63) 

Jackie Moran 
R — Sept. 10 


[|] Western 3854 
Pride of the West (55i 
William Boyd (Hopalong 
Cassidy) 

R— July 2 


I22] Comedy 3741 

Tropic Holiday (78) 
Dorothy Lamour 
Bob Burns 
R — July 2 


[22I Adven. Drama 3715 
Booloo (60) 

Colin Tapley 
Suratna Asmara 
R— July 23 


[29] Comedy 3746 
Professor Beware (93) 
Harold Lloyd 
Phyllis Welch; R-July 16 


[5] Melodrama 3717 
Bulldog Drummond in 
Africa (59) 

John Howard-H. Angel 
R — Aug. 6 


jl2| Outdoor Drama 3748 
The Texans (93) 

Joan Bennett-R. Scott 
R— July 23 


I [4] West, with Music 7103 
Gold Mine in the Sky 

(60) 

Gene Autry-C. Hughes 
R — July 9 


(l5| Drama 

Army Girl (85) 
Madge Evans 
Preston Foster 
R — July 23 


7002 


[29] Western 7118 

Heroes of the Hills (55) 
Three Mesquiteers 
R— Aug. 13 


pj] Western 861 

Pals of the Saddle (55) 
Three Mesquiteers 
R — Sept. 17 


[j] Action Drama 7024 
Come on Leathernecks 

( 66 ) 

Richard Cromwell 
Marcia Hunt 
R— Aug. 27 


111 1 


Qs] Drama reissue 
Little Women (99) 

K. Hepburn-J. Bennett 


I22] Action Drama 
Sky Giant (80) 


835 


|I~| Melodrama 836 
Crime Ring (70) 

Allan Lane R — July 2 


(Form. Northern Flight) 
Chester Morris 
Richard Dix 
R— July 23 


pj] Com. Drama 833 
Mother Carey's Chicken- 
(SO) 

Ruby Keller-Anne Shirley 
James Ellison 
R — July 23 


[5] Com. with Music 834 
I’m From the City (71) 
Joe Penner-Kay Sutton 
R — July 30 


[12] Western 883 

Painted Desert (59) 
George O’Brien 
R— Aug. 6 


853 


1 8 1 Western 

Panainint’s Bad Man(60) 
Smith Ballew-E. Daw 
|~8] Comedy 857 

We’re Going to Be Rich 
(78) 

Victor McLaglen 
frOracie Fields: R — Julv 9 


I15] Comedy 854 

Passport Husband (67) 


Stuart Erwin 
Pauline Moore 
R — July 2 


|22| Romantic Drama 855 
I’ll Give a .Million (70) 
Warner Baxter 
Marjorie Weaver 
R— July 16 


[29] Comedy Drama 856 
Little Miss Broadway 

(70) 

Shirley Temple 
Jimmy Durante 
R— July 9 


[5] Drama 
Gateway (74) 
Don Ameehe 
Arleen Whelan 
R — Aug. 6 


901 


jj2] Drama 902 

Keep Smiling (77) 

Jane Withers 
Gloria Stuart 
R — June 18 


Drama 
Algiers (95) 


Charles Boyer 

Slgrid Gurie-Hedy LaMarr 

R— July 2 


Ipi] Melodrama 2028 
Prison Break (73) 

Barton MacLane 
Glenda Farrell 
R — July 23 


[22I Drama 2008 

Little Tough Guy (83) 
“Dead End” Kids 
Robt. Wilcox 
R — July 16 


IY2] Com. with Music 
Letter of Introduetion(103) 
Andrea Leeds — R-Aug. 6 
Bergen and McCa-ith' 

[12] Mystery Drama 2031 
Missing Guest (69) 

Paul Kelly 

Con. Moore: R — Aug. 20 


Drama FN260 
Bill (60) 

Francis-D. Moore 
June 26 


jjfi] Com. Drama WB215 
Men Are Such Fools (69) 
W. Morris-P. Lane 
R — June 25 

[l6] Melodrama WB205 
Racket Busters (71) 

Geo. Rrent; R-Aug. 20 


[23] Com. Drama FN276 
Penrod’s Double 
Trouble (60) 

Ylauch Twins 
R— April 2 


[30I Melodrama FN262 
Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse 


(85) 

Edw. G. Robinson 
Claire Trevor 
R — July 9 


|~6~| Comedy 
Mr. Chump (60) 
Johnnie Davis 
Lola Lane 
R— July 23 


WB227 


[43] Com. Music WB217 
Cowboy From Brooklyn 
(77) R — June 18 

Dick Powell Priscilla Lam 


[ia] Musical Comedy GB 
Evergreen ( . . ) reissue 
Jessie Matthews 
Barry Mackay 


1 1] Drama GB 

Strange Boarders (79) 
Tom Walls 
Renee Saint-Cyr 
R — Sept. 10 


•)Ynmrr 



MISCELLANEOUS v WARNER-F. 


Hooking Hhatt 

A GUIDE TO/ C U R H E N T R E L E A S E S 


APRIL, 1939 

MAY, 1939 

JUNE. 1939 

S M T W T F S> 

1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 18 20 21 22 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 

30 

S M T W T F S> 

1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 
28 29 30 31 

S M T \V T F s 

12 3 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 
25 26 27 28 29 30 


AUGUST 20 

AUGUST 27 

[ 15 ] Comedy 8011 

The Gladiator (72) 

Joe E. Brown 

June Travis; R-Aug. 20 
[lg| Action Drama 8039 
Convicted (58) 

R. Hayworth-C. Quigley 

R — Sept. 3 



|26] Western 231 

King of the Sierras (60) 
With Rex, the 

Wonder Horse 

[ 19 ] Comedy 844 

Block-heads (58) 

Laurel & Hardy 

R — Aug, 20 

|26] Drama 845 

Marie Antoinette (157) 
Norma Shearer 

Tyrone Power 

R — Sept. 17 


[ 31 ] Drama 3811 

Under the Big Top (61) 
(For. Circus Comes to 
Town) 

Marjorie Main 

Ann Nagel 

|l 9 | Comedy 3719 

Give Me a Sailor (77) 
Martha Raye-Bob Hope 
R— July 30 

HD Action Drama 3750 
Spawn of the North (113) 
George Ratt 

Dorothy Lamour 

Henry Fonda 

R— Aug. 27 

[ 15 ] Romantic Drama 7013 
Desperate Adventure(65) 
Ramon Novarro 

Marian Marsh 
[l 5 | Western 7104 

Man From Music Moun- 
tain (58) 

Gene Autry; R-Aug. 13 

[ 22 ] Action Drama 7025 
Tenth Avenue Kid (56) 
Bruce Cabot; R-Aug. 27 
Beverly Roberts 
|22] Western 7128 

Durango Valley Raiders 
(56) 

Bob Steele 

[l9| Melodrama 832 

Smashing the Rackets 

(80) 

(For Cleanup) 

Chester Morris 

Frances Mercer 

R — July 30 

HD Com. with Music 845 

Breaking the Ice (82) 
Bobby Breen 

Irene Dare 

R — Sept. 3 

[To] Musical Comedy 903 
^Alexander’s Ragtime 
Band (105) 

Tv-one Power-Alice Faye 
Don Ameche 

R — June 4 

|26| Action Drama 904 
Speed to Burn ( 6 C) 

Michael Whalen 

Lynn Bari 

R — June 11 



[ 15 ] Western Reissue 3057 
Strawberry Roan (63) 

Ken Maynard 

[ 15 ] Western Reissue 3058 
Fiddlin’ Buckaroo (60) 
Ken Maynard 

[ 26 ] Exploitation Adven. 
Dark Rapture (79) 

Native Cast 

[ 15 ] Western Reissue 3059 
King of the Arena (60) 
Ken Maynard 


HD Com. Drama WB303 
Boy Meets Girl (80) 
Cagney-O’Brien 

(l 5 | Action Drama GB 
Crime Over London (63) 
Margot Grahame 

Paul Cavanaugh 

R — Aug. 13 



SEPTEMBER 3 

SEPTEMBER 10 

SEPTEMBER 17 

SEPTEMBER 24 

[ 2 ] Drama 8005 

1 Am the Law (99) 

Edw. G. Robinson 

Wendy Barrie; R-Aug. 27 
HD Western 8213 

Phantom Gold (56) 

Jack Luden-Beth Marion 

[~ 9 ~| Comedy Drama 80X5 
Lady Objects ( 67) 

Lanny Koss-Gloria Stuarr 
[J] Western 8208 

Colorado Trail (5 7) 

Chas. Starrett 

Iris Meredith 

jl 5 ] Melodrama 8026 

Juvenile Court (61) 

Paul Kelly 

Rita Hayworth 

[ 22 ] Western 8284 

Stranger From Ari/.ona 

(56) 

Buck Jones 




HD Melodrama 230 

Dangerous Secrets ( . . ) 
Paul Lukas 

|~ 2~1 Comedy 901 

Three Loves Has Nancy(69) 
J. Gaynor-R. Montgom'y 
R— Sept. 3 

|~ 9 ~| Comedy Drama 902 
Boys Town (93) 

Spencer Tracy 

Mickey Rooney 

R — Sept. 10 

[jp Com. Romance 903 
Too Hot to Handle (108) 
Clark Gahle-Myrna Loy 
R— Sept. 17 



[ 7 ] Western 3859 

Starlight Over Texas (59) 
Tex Ritter 

|l 4 l Western 3741 

Mexicali Kid (56) 

(For. Last Frontier) 

Jack Randall 

R — Sept. 10 

HD Melodrama 3817 

Wanted by the Police 

(60) 

Frankie Darro 

Evalyn Knapp 

[~ 2 ~] Com? with Music 380l" 
bing You Sinners (90) 
Bing Crosby 

Fred MacMurray 

R — Aug. 13 

|~ 9 ~| Western 3865 

In Old Mexico (67) 
William Boyd 
(Hopalong Cassidy) 

R — Aug. 6 

HD Drama 3803 

Sons of tlie Legion (60) 
Lynne Overman 

Billy Lee 

R — Sept. 17 

HD Com. with Music 3802 
Campus Confessions ( 66 ) 
Betty Grable 

Hank Luisetti 

[ 29 ] Comedy Drama 7015 
The Higgins Family (64) 
(For. Home Sweet Home) 
The Gleason Family 

R — Sept. 10 

[ 4 ] Western 851 

Billy the Kid Returns 

(56) 

Roy Rogers-Mary Hart 

R — Sept. 3 

[ 25 ] Western 7107 

Prairie Moon ( ) 

Gene Autry-S. Burnette 

| 2 o| Western 862 

Overland Stage Haiders 

(55) 

Three Mesquiteers 

Louise Brooks 
[ 29 ] Hillbilly Musical 
Down in Arkansaw ( . . ) 
Ralph Byrd-June Storey 

|~ 2 ~| Musical Comedy 837 
Carefree (83) 

Ginger Rogers 

Fred Astaire 

R — Sept. 3 

[ 9 ] Comedy 902 

Affairs of Annabel ( 68 ) 
Lucille Ball 

Jack Oakie 

R— July 16 

[ 10 ] Western 884 

Renegade Hanger (60) 
George O’Brien 

R — Sept. 17 

HD Melodrama 803 ' 

Fugitives for a Night 

(63) 

Eleanor Ljnn 

Frank Albertson 

|Y| Comedy Drama 905 
My Lucky Star (84) 

Sonja Henie 

Richard Greene 

R — Sept. 3 

|~ 9 ~[ Comedy Drama 90G 
Safety in Numbers (55) 
Jones Family 

R — Aug. 13 

HD Comedy 907 

Hold That Co-ed (80) 
John Barrymore 

Marjorie Weaver 

R— Sept. 17 

HD Melodrama 908 

Time Out for Murder (60) 
Gloria Stuart 

Michael Whalen 

R— July 2 




[ 30 ] Adventure Drama 
Drums (99) 

Sabu-Raymond Massey- 
Valerie Hobson 

R — Aug. 6 . 

|~ 2 ~| Comedy Drama 3025 
Freshman Year ( 68 ) 

Dixie Dunbar 

Ernest Truex 

R — Aug. 27 

|~ 9 ~| Melodrama 

Personal Secretary (62) 
(For. The Comet) 

Wm. Gargan-Joy Hodges 

HD Western 

Black Bandit (57) 

(For. Twins of the West) 
Bob Baker 

| 3 q| Comedy Drama 

Youth Takes a Fling(..) 
Joel McCrea 

Andrea Leeds 
[ 23 ] Drama 

Hoad to Reno (69) 
Randolph Scott-G. Farrell 
R — Sept. 3 

|~ 3 ~] Com. Drama WB213 
t our’s a Crowd (95) 

Errol Flynn 

Olivia de Havilland 

R — July 30 

HD Drama FN365 

Secrets of an Actress (70) 
Geo. Brent 

Kay Francis 

[ 27 ] Drama WB305 

(^Valley of the Giants 
(79) 

Wayne Morris 

Claire Trevor 

R — Sept. 17 

[ 24 ] Drama FN359 

Four Daughters ^90) 

Lane Sisters 

Jeffrey Lynn 

R— Aug. 20 

[Y| Melodrama GB 

Man with 100 Faces (..) 
Noel Madison 

Lilli Palmer 


HD Melodrama GB 

Tlie 39 Steps ( . . ) 

(Reissue) 

Robert Donat 

Madeleine Carroll 

' 


p r\ v c\ cc*' 








JULY. 

1939 


AUGUST 


1939 

SEPTEMBER 

'39 

5> 

M 

1 ' 

VV 

X 

X 


S 

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T 

VV 

1 

F 

s 

S 

M 

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VV 

T 

F 

& 







1 



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2 

3 

4 

5 






1 

2 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

ii 

12 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

20 

21 

22 

23 

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25 

26 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

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Hooking (2kat\ 

A GUIDE T O jjr CORBENT RELEASES 



OCTOBER 1 

OCTOBER 8 

OCTOBER 15 

OCTOBER 22 

OCTOBER 29 

NOVEMBER 5 

[so] Drama 

Girls’ School ( . . ) 

A. Shirley-R. Bellamy 
[ 29 ] Comedy 9101 

You Can’t Take It With 
You (127) 

J. Arthur-J. Stewart 

R — Sept. 17 

[~ 5 ~| Melodrama 

Grime Takes a Holiday 
(•■) 

Jack Holt 

Marcia Ralston 
|~ 3 ~| Western 9201 

West of the Santa Fe ( . . ) 
C. Starrett-I. Meredith 

|X 2 ] Action Drama 

Flight to Fame ( . . ) 
Charles Farrell 

Jacqueline Wells 
[jo| Western 

Law of the Texan ( . . ) 
Buck Jones-Dorothy Fay 

[ 49 ] Melodrama 

Homicide Bureau ( . . ) 
Bruce Cabot 

Rita Hayworth 
[ 22 ] Comedy Drama 
There’s That Woman 
Again ( . . ) 

M. Douglas-V. Bruce 









[ 30 ] Comedy 905 

Vacation From Love ( . . ) 
D. O’Keefe-F. Rice 

0] Comedy Drama 906 
Stablemates ( . . ) 

Wallace Beery 

Mickey Rooney 

[ 14 ] Com. with Music 904 
Listen, Darling ( . . ) 

Judy Garland 

Freddie Bartholomew 

[ 21 ] Comedy Drama 

Young Dr. Kildare ( . . ) 

Lew Ayres 

Lionel Barrymore 

[ 28 ] Musical Drama 

Great Waltz ( . . ) 

Luise Rainer 

Fernand Gravet 

0 Drama 

The Citadel ( . . ) 

Robert Donat H 

Rosalind Russell M 


[~ 5 ~| Melodrama 3804 

Mr. Wong-, Detective ( . . ) 
Boris Karloff 

Evelyn Brent 

[xq] Musical Reissue 

Sweetheart of Sigma Chi 
(• •) 

Betty Grable 

Larry Crabbe 
g Western 3860 

Where Buffalo Roam ( . . ) 
Tex Ritter 


0 Western 3851 

Gun Packer ( . . ) 

(For. Last Outlaw) 

Jack Randall 

[ 2 ] Drama 1 

Gangster’s Boy ( . . ) fl 

Jackie Cooper j 

|30| Melodrama 3804 

King- of Alcatraz ( . . ) 
Lloyd Nolan 

J. Carrol Naish 

|T1 Action Drama 3805 

Touchdown, Army (71) 
John Howard 

Mary Carlisle 

[i^j Comedy Drama 

Arkansas Traveler ( . . ) 
Bob Burns-Fay Bainter 

[ 21 ] Western 

Mysterious Rider ( . . ) 
Douglas Dumbrille 

Sidney Toler 

| 2 g] Melodrama 

Escape From Yesterday 
(• •) 

Frances Farmer 

Leif Erikson 

0 Melodrama 

Illegal Traffic ( . . ) 1 

J. Carrol Naish H 

Mary Carlisle ■ 

[~ 3 ~[ Melodrama 817 

Night Hawk ( . . ) 

B. Livingston-J. Travis 



[ 2 o| Western 

Song of the West ( . . ) 
Gene Autry-S. Burnette 

[ 22 ] Melodrama 

I Stand Accused ( . . ) 

Robt. Cummings-H. Mack 


0 Action Drama 

Storm Over Bengal ( . . ) V 
Patric Knowles 1 

Rochelle Hudson I 

[so] Comedy 901 

Room Service (80) 

Marx Brothers 

R— Sept. 17 

n Comedy 904 

Mr. Doodle Kicks Off (76) 
Joe Penner-J. Travis 

R — Sept. 10 

[ 14 ] Drama 905 

A Man to Remember (..) 

Edward Ellis 

Anne Shirley 

[ 21 ] Mystery Comedy 906 
Mad Miss Manton ( . . ) 
Barbara Stanwyck 

Henry Fonda 

0 Melodrama 907 

Miracle Packet ( . . ) 

Sally Eilers 

Lee Bowman 


[30] Musical 911 

Straight, Place and Show 

Ritz Bros. -Ethel Merman 

0 Adven. Comedy 910 
Meet the Girls ( 66 ) 

June Lang-Lynn Bari 

R — July 23 

[ 14 ] Action Drama 909 

Submarine Patrol ( . . ) 
Richard Greene 

Nancy Kelly 

[ 21 ] Melodrama 912 

Mysterious Mr. Moto (62) 
Peter Lorre 

Mary Maguire 

R — June 4 

0 Comedy Drama 914 
Always in Trouble (70) 
Jane Withers 

Jean Rogers 

R — Aug. 20 

|~ 4 ~j Historical Drama 

Suez ( . . ) B 

Tyrone Power B 

Annabella 



[ 14 ] Comedy Drama 

There Goes My Heart 
(••) 

F. March-V. Bruce 



|~ 4 ~[ Adventure Drama 

Trade Winds ( . . ) B 

Joan Bennett B 

Fredric March B 

a K 

Cowboy and the Lady K 

Gary Cooper 

Merle Oberson ;X 


0 Musical Comedy 

That Certain Age ( . . ) 
Deanna Durbin 

Jackie Cooper 

[ 14 ] Comedy Drama 

Swing That Cheer ( . . ) 
Tom Brown 

Andy Devine 

[ 21 ] Comedy 

Service De Luxe ( . . ) 
Connie Bennett 

Charles Ruggles 

0 Melodrama 

The Storm ( . . ) 

Preston Foster 

0 Action Drama 

Last Express ( . . ) 

Kent Taylor 

Dorothea Kent 


| 0 Musical Comedy 

j Garden of the Moon ( . . ) 
Pat O’Brien-Mar. Lindsay 

R — July 30 

[ 8 ~| Drama. 

Broadway Musketeers ( . . ) 
Margaret Lindsay 

Marie Wilson 

[ 15 ] Drama 

The Sisters ( . . ) 

Errol Flynn 

Bette Davis 

[ 22 ] Melodrama 

Girls on Probation ( . . ) 
Ronald Reagan 

June Bryan 

0 Comedy 

Brother Rat ( . . ) 

Wayne Morris 

Priscilla Lane 


[T| Melodrama GB 

Lady Vanishes ( . . ) 
Margaret Lockwood 

Paul Lukas 

0 Drama Tri-NatT 

Oragre ( . . ) 

Chas. Boyer 

Michele Morgan 

m Comedy Tri-Nat’l 
Carnival in Flanders (..) 

(Reissue) 

Francoise Rosay 

[ 15 ] Melodrama GB 

The Frog ( . . ) 

Noah Beery-G. Taylor 

[is] Drama Tri-Nat’l 

Peg of Old Drury (..) 

Anna Neagle 

Sir Cedric Hardwicke ! 





QXnEFI£lF- t'VtAhov 1 1090 



Shotti 


Numerals Following: Titles are 
Hunning: Time. Date Is Na- 
tional Release, 1938, Unless 
Otherwise Specified. 
^Indicates short of the week 
rating:. 

©Indicates color. 


Artcinema 

MUSICAL CLASSICS 
Produced by Hugo Reisenfeld 
(Reissues) 

Americans Come, The (9) .Apr. 30, ’38 
Irish Fantasy (9) Mar. 26, ’38 


Columbia 


ALL-STAR COMEDIES 


Ankles Away (19) May 13 

Andy Clyde. 

Cuckoorancho (16 %) Mar. 25 


Complications when two wanderers 
are mistaken for rich Americans 
by a Mexican rancher. 

Halfway to Hollywood (17%).. July 1 
Jump Chump Jump (19%) .. .Apr. 5 
Pirechief Andy Clyde falls for a 
school teacher. 

Many Sappy Returns (18) . . .Auer. 19 

Not Guilty Enough (18) Sept. 30 

©Old Raid Mule, The (19) Mar. 1 

Andy Clyde is a sucker for bar- 
gains and gets talked Into many a 
bad one. 

Sue My Lawyer (..) Sept. 16 

The Mind Needer (18) Apr. 29 

Charlie Chase. 

The Nightshirt Bandit (..).. Oct. 28 
The Soul of a Heel (16%) . . . . June 4 
Andy Clyde has a time trying to 
marry the sheriff’s daughter. 

Time Out for Trouble (19) . . . .Mar. 18 
Charlie Chase arouses the under- 
world by fooling around with a 
gangster’s sweetie. 

COLOR RHAPSODIES 


Hollywood Graduation (7) . . .Aug. 26 
Little Moth’s Big Flame (7).. Oct. 25 

Poor Elmer (7) July 22 

Poor Little Butterfly (8) July 4 

The Animal Cracker Circus 

< • • ) Sept, 23 

©The Big Birdcast (8) May 13 

©The Foolish Bunny (6) . . . .Mar. 11 

The Frog Pond (7) Aug. 12 

Window Shopping (7) June 3 

COLUMBIA TOUR 
Bermuda Isles of Paradise 

( • • ) Sept. 9 

Provincial Quebec ( . . ) Oct. 21 

COMMUNITY SING 

No. 1 ( . . ) Oct. 1 

No. 6 (Cowboy Songs) 


No. 7 (Gus Van — Song Shop) 


Songs the folks used to sing. 

No. 9 (10) — Spanish Melodies June 25 
No. 10 (9) — Patriotic Songs. . . Julv 4 

No. 11 (10) Aug. 26 

Songs of Yesteryear. 

No. 12 (..) Sept. 15 

Scotch Songs 

(New Series) 

No. 1 College Songs ( ) Oct. 1 

No. 2 South Seas ( ) Nov. 14 

KRAZV 1(AT 

Gym Jams (7) Sept. 9 

Hot Dogs on Ice (..) Oct. 21 

Krazj Magic (7) May 20 

Iirazy’s Travel Squawks (7)... July 4 

The Auto Clinic (7) Mar. 4 

The Little Buckaroo (6) Apr. 11 

NEW SPORT THRILLS 

Athletic Youth (..) July 29 

Demons of the Deep (9) Aug. 19 

Fistic Fun (9%) July 1 

Football Giants (..) Sept. 28 

Ski Legs (..) Oct. 20 

Sport Stamina (10) May 10, '38 

Thrilling Moments (10) June 10 

Unusual Hunting (10) . . .Mar. 15, ’38 
PICTUREGRAPH 


No. 1 (..) Aug. 31 

SCRAPPY CARTOONS 

City Slicker (6%) July 22 

Early Bird ( . . ) Aug. 31 

Happy Birthday (...) Oct. 7 

Scrappy’s Playmates (7) Apr. 27 

SCREEN SNAPSHOTS (Series 16) 

No. 1 (. .) Aug. 21 

No. 2 (..) Sept, 16 

No. 8(10) Apr. 1. ’38 

No. 9(10) Apr. 29, ’38 

No. 10 (10) May 27, ’38 


No. 11 (10) June 24, ’38 

No. 12 (10) Jul.i 29 

Series 18 

No. 1 (. .) Sept. 16 

No. 2 (..) Oct. 14 

SPECIAL 

The New Nation (10) June 1 

Story of Czechoslovakia. 

Jungle Babies (10) June 1 

THREE STOOGES COMEDIES 
Healthy, Wealthy and Dumb 

(16) May 20 

All sorts of things happen to 
the trio when Curly wins a puz- 
zle contest. 

Mutts to You (..) Oct. 14 

Tassels in the Air (18) Apr. 1 

Signpainters, prattling in pig 
Latin, are mistaken for high-class 
French decorators and get a free 
hand in a swanky household. 

Three Goofy Gobs (..) July 29 

Three Missing Links (18) . . . July 29 
Violent Is the Word for Curly 

(18) Sept. 2 

WORLD IN COLOR 
©Friendly Neighbors (..)... .June 1 
Views of Ontario. 

©Quebec (10) Mar. 25, ’38 


Educational 

(Distributed through 20th-Fox) 

TERRY-TOONS 

A Mountain Romance (7) . .Apr. 1, ’38 

Chris Columbo (7) Aug. 12 

Devil of the Deep (7) . . . .May 27, ’38 

Eliza Runs Again (..) July 29 

Happy and Lucky (7) . . . .Mar. 18, ’38 
Here's to Good Old Jail (..'). .June 10 

Maid ill China (7) Apr. 29 

Milk for Baby (7) July 8 

Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow (7) July 22 

Robinson Crusoe’s Broadcast 

(7) Apr. 15 

©String Bean Jack (7) Aug. 26 

The Big Top (7) May 13, ’38 

The Goose Flies High (7) Sept. 9 

The Last Indian (7) June 24 

Wolf’s Side of the Story (7).. Sept. 23 
TREASURE CHEST 
Kingdom for a Horse (10) .. .Apr. 22 
Music From the Stars 

(11) Mar. 25, ’38 

Horace Lapp and Orchestra- 
Return of the Buffalo (10) -Apr. 8, '38 
We Live in Two Worlds ( . . ) . .July 22 
TWO REELERS 
Beautiful But Dummies 

(19) Mar. 25, ’38 

Buster West and Tom Patrieola 
have some fun with a near-sighted, 
Conceited manager of a fashion 

shop. 

Cactus Caballeros (19) May 27 

Harry Gribbon and Joey Haye, al- 
though scared stiff, set out after 
a Mexican bandit and succeed in 
capturing him. 

Cute Crime ( . . ) Apr. 29, ’38 

Jefferson Machamer. 

Jitter Bugs ( . . ) May 20, ’38 

Buster West and Tom Patrieola re- 
cover a stolen bracelet after they 
steal a turkey. 

Money on Your Life ( . . ) .May 13, ’38 

Revolutionary antics with Kem- 
per and Kaye. 

Pardon My Accident (17) . . . . June 10 

Willie Howard fakes an accident 
and is mistaken for a famous sur- 
geon. 

Sing for Sweetie (19) Apr. 15 

Gangsters interfere with Lee Sul- 
lit an's plans for the elopement 
but he manages. 

Winner Lose All (..) June 17 

Charles Kemper devotes his time 
to puzzle contest and almost loses 
his girl because he signed away 
the prize rights in a $50,000 con- 
test. 


M-G-M 

CRIME DOESN’T PAY 


A Criminal Is Born (21) June 25 

Come Across (20) May 14 

Miracle Money (21) Mur. 26 


They’re Always Caught (22).. Sept. 3 

Scientific crime detection unearths 


the murderer of a mayor of a large 
city. 

Think It Over (..) Sept. 24 

CAPTAIN AND THE KIDS 
CARTOONS 

A Day at the Beach (10) . . . . June 25 

Bine Monday (9) Apr. 2. '38 

Buried Treasure (8) Sept. 17 

Captain’* Pup (9) Apr. 30 

Old Smokey (7) Sept. 3 

Poultry Pirates (9) Apr. 16 

The Pygmy Hunt (8) Aug. 6 

What a Lion (9) July 16 

FITZPATRICK TRAVELTALKS 
In Technicolor 

Beautiful Bndapest (9) Apr. 16 


Cairo— City of Contrast (9).. Sept. 10 
Czeclio-Slovalda on Parade 


(9) June 11 

Glimpses of New Brunswick 

(8) Mar. 19 

Madeira — Isle of Romance 

(...) Oct. 1 

Paris on Parade (9) July 9 

Rural Sweden (8) May 14 

HISTORICAL MYSTERIES 
^Bravest of the Brave (11) . .Aug. 6 
The Face Behind the Mask 

(11) Mar. 19. ’38 

The Man on the Rock (11) . . . Sept. 3 
Strange Glory (11) July 2 

MINIATURES 

City of Little Men (11) Aug. 20 

Hollywood Handicap (10).... May 2 S 

Streamlined Sing (9) Sept. 10 

ytThat Mothers Might Live 

(10) Apr. 30 

The Forgotten Step (10) . .May 7, ’38 
Tracking the Sleeping Death 

(10) July 9 

Tupapao (11) June 11 

MUSICAL COMEDIES 

It’s in the Stars (19) July 30 

Gay college yarn with Eleanor 

Lynn, Johnny Downs and Doris 
Weston. 

The Magician’s Daughter 

(18) July 16 

Eleanor Lynn and Frankie Albert- 

son. 

Snow Gets in Your Eyes (20). May 14 

M-G-M NEWS OF THE DAY 
Released twiee weekly. 

OUR GANG COMEDIES 


Awful Tooth, The ( . . ) May 28 

Bear Facts (11) Mar. 3, ’38 

Came the Brawn (11) Apr. 16 

Feed ’Em and Weep (11) . May 17, '38 

Hide and Shriek (11) June 18 

Little Ranger (10) Aug. 6 

Party Fever (10) Aug. 27 

Three Men in a Tub (10) .Mar. 26, ’38 
PETE SMITH SPECIALTIES 
|>Fisticuffs (9) Aug. 27 


Maxie Baer in cute white trunks 
shows what to and not to do in 
the ring. 

Football Thrills of 1937 

(10) Sept. 10 

Follow the Arrow (10) July 30 

La Savate (8) Mar. 12, ’38 

Humorous account of French sport 
in which opponents rely mainly on 
their feet. 

Modeling for Money (10) . . . . Apr. 30 

©Penny’s Party (9) Apr. 9, ’38 

story of Dr. Carver (10) June 18 

Surf Heroes (10) May 28 

ROBERT BENCHLEY 

An Evening Alone (9) May 14 

How to Read (9) Aug. 27 

The Courtship of the Newt 

(8) July 23 

How to Figure Income Tax 

(8) Mar. 19, '38 

QHow to Raise a Baby (9) . . .July 2 
Music Made Simple (8) Apr. 16 


Paramount 

BETTY BOOP CARTOONS 
Buzzy Boop at the Concert 

(7) Sept. 16 

Buzzy Boop (7) July 22 

Honest Love and True (7)... Mar. 25 

Out of the Inkwell (7) Apr. 22 

Pudgy the W’atchman (7).... Aug. 12 

Sally Swing (7) Oct. 14 

Swing School (7) May 27 

The Lost Kitten (7) June 24 

COLOR CLASSICS 
All’s Fair at the Fair (7) . . . . Aug. 26 

Guatemala (10) Aug. 12 

Hold It (8) Apr. 29 

Hunky and Spunky (7) June 24 

The Playful Polar Bears (7).. Oct. 28 
COLOR CRUISES 
(New Series in Cinecolor) 

Guatemala (10) Aug. 12 

Mexico (10) Oct. 7 

H E ADLINER 

Bob Crosby and His Orchestra 

(10) May 6 

Busse Rhythm (10) Oct. 7 

Henry Busse and His Orchestra. 

Easy on the Ice (10) June 3 

Henry King and his orchestra with 
Shirley Foster. 

Hall’s Holiday (10) Apr. 8 

George Hall and his Orchestra 
with Dolly Dawn. 

Lights! Action! Lucas (11) . . .Sept. 2 
Clyde Lucas and orchestra. 
©Moments of Charm (10) . . . .Aug. 5 
Phil Spitalny and Girl Orchestra. 

Queens of the Air (10) July 8 

Vincent Lopez and his orchestra, 
Benay Venuta, Hollace Shaw, Jean 
Ellington, Betty Hutton and Nan 
Wynn. 

PARAMOUNT NEWS 
Released twice weekly. 

PARA GRAPHICS 

Crime Fighters (10) May 20 


Depicting the thorough training a 
police officer undergoes. 

QFind Wliat's Wrong (10) .. June 17 

Jungle Glimpses (10) Mar. 25 

A colorful camera trip through 
South America tropics. 

.Mildewed Melodramas (11) .. .Sept. 2 
Three old-time films re-edited for 
modern audiences. 

Rube Goldberg’s Travelgab 

(10) Oct. 14 

^Silver Millions (10) July 15 

Story of the Alaskan salmon and 
their spawning habits. 

Tanhaueser (12) Aug. 12 

A special arrangement of Wagner's 
Immortal "Tanhaueser” as played 
by the National Symphony Orches- 
tra under baton of Frederick Feher. 

The Bike Parade (10) Apr. 22 

The saga of the bicycle from 1900 
to the present. Narrated by Ted 
Husing. 

PARAMOUNT PICTORIAL 

No. .8(10) Mar. 4 

Styles in the sun, New York’s army 
of night workers, canine beauty 
shop. 

No. 9 (10) Apr. 1 

The Bureau of Standards in 
Washington, trained fish and Al- 
pine aqueduct. 

No. 10 (10) May 6 

Chesapeake fishermen — camera 
studies of clouds — feeding the 
animals. 

No. 11 (10) June 3 

Alpine streams, a visit to the 
Guadalupe Islands, and vineyards 
of California. 

No. 12 (10) July 1 

Gigantic farming — Streaming scen- 
ery — a day in a dog’s life. 

No. 1 (10) Aug. 5 

Tropical trophies; Canyon country; 
Aquatic Antics. 

No. 2 (10) Sept. 2 

Wellesley College; Amazon activi- 
ties; and Paris at night. 

No. 3 (10) Oet. 7 

Oceanic oddities, mountain sun- 
rises, elephants. 

TOPEYE CARTOONS 


Big Chief Ugh-Amugh-Ugh 

(7) Apr. 15 

Bulldozing the Bull (7) . . . .Aug. 19 

Goonland (7) ....Oct. 21 

I Yam Love Sick (8) Mm 20 

Mutiny Ain’t Nice (7) Sept. 23 

The Jeep (7) July 15 

Plumbing 19 a “Pipe” (7) . . June 17 


The Louse Builder-Upper (7). Mar. 18 
POPULAR SCIENCE 


(In Cinecolor) 


©No. 4(10) Mar. 18 

No. 5 (10) May 13 

No. 6(10) July 8 

No. 1 (10) Sept. 2 


SCREEN SONG 

Beside a Moonlit Stream (8).. July 29 
Frank Dailey and His Orchestra. 

Thanks for the Memory (7) . .Mar. 25 
Bert Block and orchestra supply 
the music. 

You Leave Me Breathless (7). May 27 

Jimmy Dorsey and orchestra. 

GRANTLAND RICE SPORT- 
l.lGHTS 

Champion Airhoppers ( 10 ) . . . .Oct. 28 

Cops and Robbers (10) Mar. 25 

A chase in which a black bear and 
mountain lion are captured. 

Horseshoes (10) July 15 

Ted Allen, world’s champion horse- 
shoe artist, demonstrates his skill. 

Hnnting Thrills (10) Sept. 2 

Racing Pigeons (10) Sept. 30 

Story of the racing of homing 
pigeons. 

Red, White and Blue Champions 
(10) May 20 

A unique group of aquatic young- 
sters of the Panama Canal zone. 

Sporting Test (10) .Aug. 5 

Question answers in the field of 
sport supplied by Ted Husing. 

Strike (10) June 17 

Not baseball but a reel about fish- 
ing. 

Win, Place or Show (10) . . . . Apr. 22 
Human interest yarn of the Hia- 
leah racing track. 

UNUSUAL OCCUPATIONS 

©No. 5(10) Apr. 15 

Gold beating; circulating library; 
woman chimney sweep; tool leath- 
er portraits. 

No. 6(10) June 10 

No. 1 dll) Aug. 5 

No. 2 (10) Oct. 7 


RKO Radio 


DISNEY CARTOONS 
©Boat Builders (7) Feb. 25 

Mickey, Donald and the Goof at- 
tempt to build a boat with dis- 
astrous consequences. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


Brave Little Tailor (9) Sept. 23 

Mickey becomes a giant killer 
through no fault of his own. 
©Donald's Nephews (8) . .Apr. 15, '38 
Introducing three mischievous edi- 
tions of Donald Duck, Huey, Dewey 
anti Louie. 

Farmyard Symphony (8) Oct. 14 

Good Scouts (8) July 8 

Donald Duck takes his nephews 
camping, much to his sorrow. 

Mickey’s Parrot (8) Sept. 9 

A concealed parrot is mistaken for 
an escaped killer. 

Polar Trappers (8) June 17, ’38 

Adventures of Donald and Goofy 
in the Arctic. 

The Fox Hunt (8) July 29 

Adventures of Donald Duck and 
Goofy during a fox hunt. 

Q©The Moth and the Flame 

(8) Apr. 1, ’38 

Adventures of a boy and girl moth. 

The Whalers (8) Aug. 19 

A whaling expedition costs Mickey, 
Donald and the Goof their boat. 
C,i©Wynken, Blynken and Nod 

(8) May 27 

The adventures of the three 
youngsters in Eugene Field’s poem 
who sail through the sky in a 
wooden-shoe. 

EDGAR KENNEDY COMEDIES 

Beaux and Errors (18) Oct. 7 

Edgar’s father-in-law again starts 
all the mischief as Edgar becomes 
the butt of a practical joke be- 
cause of his obesity. 

False Roomers (17) Mar. 25, ’38 

A slightly unbalanced roomer is 
the cause of all the hilarity. 

Fool Coverage (16) July 15 

Kennedy’s Castle (17) May 28 

Edgar brings the boss and the 
customers home to play poker 
when the wife walks in with her 
friends. 

HEADLINER COMEDIES 
Picketing for Love (17) June 3 

Betty Jane Rhodes, Joe Morrison, 
Phyllis Kennedy, Jack Carson and 
Barbara Bedford. 

Sea Melody (19) Oct. 21 

Ted Fio Rito and His Orchestra 
with Rita Oehman and Muzzy Mar- 
cellino. 

LEON ERROL COMEDIES 
Berth<iuakes (16) May 6 

Errol tries his hand at applying 
child psychology. 

Stage Fright (18) Sept. 23 

Leon's wife cures him of his aver- 
sion to her being on the stage. 

The Jitters (19) July 1 

The wife’s yen for dancing sets 
Errol off on a jag which ends in 
a rousing finale. 

MARCH OF TIME 
No. 1 (20) Sept. 2 

The Czech-German crisis up-to- 
date and Father Divine’s new 
“Heaven on the Hudson.” 

QNo. 8(19) Mar. 18 

Story of the nation’s first govern- 
ment-promoted tourist resort and 
arms and the League of Nations. 

QNo. 9 (21) Apr. 15 

The Nazi conquest of Austria and 
a pictorial discussion on crime 
and prisons. 

No. 10 (19) May 13 

Racketeers vs. Housewives. 

CiNo. 11 (17) June 10 

A study of the American physician. 

No. 12 (17) July 8 

Work, training and activities of 
the U. S. Coast Guard. 

No. 13 (19) Aug. 5 

America’s traffic problem and the 
threat to England’s Gibraltar. 

NU-ATLAS MUSICALS 

Carnival Show (10) June 24 

Clyde Hager, Jan Peerce, Cotton 
Club Tramp Band. 

Hock-Shop Blues (10) July 15 

International Rhythm (10)... June 3 
Roy Smeck and his Aloha Island- 
ers, Ada Brown, Mara, Princess 
Chivo. 

Maids and Music (10) ... .Apr. 22, ’38 
Ray Fabing's Ingenues with Jan- 
ice Walker. Also Bernice Parks. 

Salt Shakers (11) May 13, ’38 

Jay C. Flippen, Joe Dorris, Mae 
McKim and Her Three Boy 
Friends, Vera Haal. 

Skyline Revue (11) Apr. 1 

Paula Stone, Billy and Milly, Sugar 
Nicholas, DeMay Moore and 
Martin. 

Styles and Smiles (10) Sept. 30 

Virginia Verrill, Charles King, Har- 
rison & Fischer, Marion Daniels! 

Talent Auction (10) Oct. 28 

Under a Gypsy Moon (10) . . . .Sept. 2 

PATHE NEWS 

Released twice weekly. 

PATHE PARADE (’36-’37 re- 
leases) 

ONo. 6 The Count of Ten (9) .June 17 


Development of the Golden Gloves. 

No. 7 (10) Aug. 12 

Trip through Walt Disney studios 
and expose of spiritualism. 

RADIO FLASH COMEDIES 

The Photographer (15) .. .June 17, '38 

A candid camera bug runs into 
difficulties over a picture. 

SMART SET COMEDIES 
Hunting Trouble (16) Aug. 6 

Jed Prouty and Richard Lane en- 
counter complications at home 
after a wild time at a fraternal 
order convention. 

PATHE SPORTSCOPE 
Bit and Bridle (10) May 13, ’38 

A trip to Aiken, S. C., haven of 
horse lovers and their horses. 
Fisherman’s Paradise (9) . . . . Sept. 19 
Fishing off Catcay Bay, Bahamas. 

Flying Feathers (9) June 24 

Story of badminton. 

Pinehurst (9) Apr. 22 

The North-South Open Golf 
Tournament with the country’s 

leading pros. . 

Swinging Mallets (10) Apr. 1 

Polo as played in Jamaica be- 
tween two crack teams. 

Underwater (9) June 3 

New underwater sport “goggle 
fishing” and some water polo 
scenes. 

RADIO MUSICAL COMEDIES 
Russian Dressing (16) Aug. 12 

Ben Alexander and band, Elea- 
nor Hansen, Walter Miller. 
Twenty Girls and a Baud 

(18) Apr. 8, ’38 

Nick Stuart and his orchestra, 
Betty Jane Rhodes, June Johnson. 

RAY WHITLEY WESTERNS 
(New Series) 

A Western Welcome (18) Sept. 9 

Cowboy band. 

REELISMS (New Series) 
Underwater Circus (10) ....Sept. 16 

SHEILA BARRETT COMEDIES 
(New Series) 

Week-End Guest ( . .) Oct. 14 

Features Teddy Hart. 


20 th Century-Fox 

ADVENTURES OF A NEWS 
CAMERAMAN 

Recording Modern Science 

(10) Aug. 19 

ED THORGERSEN-SPORTS 

Thoroughbreds ( . . ) Sept. 30 

FASHIONS 

©Fashion Forecasts (..)... .Sept. 16 
Autumn styles. 

FOX MOVIETONE NEWS 

Released twice weekly. 

LEW LEHR AND niS KINDER- 
GARTEN 

What Every Boy Should Know 

(..) Sept. 2 

LOWELL THOMAS MAGIC 
CARPET 

Golden California (..) Aug. 5 


Universal 


GOING PLACES WITH LOW- 
ELL THOMAS 

No. 47 ( 9) Mar. 21, ’38 

No. 48 ( 9) Apr. 11, ’38 

No. 49 ( 9) Apr. 25 

No. 50 ( 9) May 9 

No. 51 (10) June 3 

No. 52 ( 9) June 27 

No. 53 (9) Aug. 22 

No. 54 (9) Sept. 12 

No. 55 (9) Oct. 3 

MENTONE PRODUCTIONS 

Beauty Shoppe (19%) Sept. 28 

Buck and Bubbles, Imogene Coca, 
Marty May, Harrison and Fischer. 

Fits & Benefits (19) July 27 

Yorlre and King, Original Cotton 
Club Tramp Band, Carolyn Marsh, 
The Merry Macs. 

High-Jack ’n the Show 

(17) May 18, ’38 

James Barton, Bea Saxon, The 
Three Marshalls, Starnes Four- 
some. 

Latin Hi-Hattin (18) Apr. 27 

Dorothy Stone, Charles Collins, 
Geraldine and Joe, Del Campo, 
Bernice Parks and the 12 Mc- 
Gurns’ Dancers. 


Music and Flowers (19) . . . . June 15 

Block & Sully, Peg Leg Bates, 
Royal Swedish Bell Ringers, 
Stearnes & Anavan. 

Rhythm Cafe (20) Sept. 7 

Oshins & Lessy, Virginia Verrill, 
Four Eton Boys, Vic Hyde. 

Side Show Fakir (17%) Oct. 12 

Somewhere in Paris (17) . . . .Mar. 23 
J. Harold Murray, Three Samuels 
and Harriet Hayes, Ben Yost’s 
Varsity Eight. 

Stars and Stripes (17) July 6 

Ed East, Ralph Dumke, Ada 
Brown and Carl Freed’s Harmon- 
ica Band. 

OSWALD CARTOONS 

Barnyard Romeo (7) Aug. 1 

Cheese Nappers (7) July 4 

Feed the Kitty (7) Mar. 14, ’38 

Ghost Town Frolics (7) Sept. 5 

Happy Scouts (7) June 20 

Hollywood Bowl (7) Mar. 28 

Movie Phoney News (..) May 30 

Nellie, The Indian Chief’s 

Daughter (7) June 6 

Nellie the Serving Machine 

Girl (7%) Apr. 11 

Pixie Land (7) Sept. 12 

The Big Cat and the Little 

Mousie (7) Aug. 15 

The Cat and the Bell (7) Oct. 3 

The Problem Child (7) .. .May 16, ’38 

Trade Mice (7) Feb. 28, ’38 

Tail End (7) Apr. 25 

Voodoo Harlem (7) July 18 

Yokel Boy Makes Good (7).. Feb. 21 

STRANGER THAN FICTION 

No. 47 ( 9) Mar. 14 

No. 49 ( 9) Apr. 18 

No. 50 ( 9) May 2 

No. 51 ( 9) June 6 

No. 52 ( 9) June 20 

No. 53 (9) Aug. 29 

No. 54 (9) Sept. 19 

No. 55 (9%) Oct. 10 

UNIVERSAL NEWS 

Released twice weekly. 


Vitaphone 


BROADWAY HEADLINERS 

Forget Me Knots (21) May 7, ’38 

Prisoner of Swing (21) .. June 11, ’38 

COLORTOUR ADVENTURES 

©Crossroads of the Orient 

(10) Apr. 2, ’38 

The Hermit Kingdom (..)... Aug. 27 
Isles of Enchantment 

(10) July 23, ’38 

Long Bright Land (10) Sept. 25 

A trip to New Zealand. 

Mechanix Illustrated (10) . .June 4, ’38 
Pearl of the East (10) .. .Mar. 21, ’38 

Toradja Land (10) Apr. 30, ’38 

What the World Makes 

(10) Mar. 12, ’38 

LOONEY TUNES CARTOONS 

Injun Trouble (7) May 21, ’38 

Porky and Daffy (7) Aug. 6 

Porky’s Five and Ten (7) .Apr. 16, ’38 
Porky’s Hare Hunt (7) . .Apr. 30, ’38 

Porky’s Party (7) June 25 

Porky’s Phoney Express (7) . .Mar. 19 
Porky’s Spring Planting (7) . .July 16 
Wholly Smoke (7) Aug. 27 

MELODY MASTERS 

Carl “Deaeon” Moore and 

Orchestra (10) May 7, '38 

Clyde Lucas and Orchestra 

(10) June 18, '38 

Don Bestor and Orchestra 

(10) July 9, ’38 

(11) May 28. '38 

His Busy Day (10) Aug. 20 

Clyde McCoy and orchestra. 

Mike Riley and Orchestra 

(10) Mar. 26, ’38 

Ruhinoff and His Violin 

(10) April 16, ’38 

Saturday Night Swing Club 

(10) July 30, ’38 

MERRIE MELODIES (In Color) 

A Star Is Hatched (7) Apr. 2 

Cinderella Meets Her Fella (8) Jul. 23 
Isle of Pingo Pongo ( . . ) . May 28, ’38 

Katnip Kollege (7) June 11, ’38 

Now That Summer Is Gone 

(..) May 14, ’38 

Penguin Parade (7) Apr. 23, ’38 

( JSriee/ing Weasel (7) . Mar. 12, ’38 
The Major Lied Till Dawn 

(..) Aug. 13 

Freddie Rich and Orchestra 

©PICTORIAL REVUES 

(Some sequences in color) 

No. 8(11) Apr. 2 


Song writers — bowling — rubber 
bathing suits. 

No. 9(10) Apr. 30, ’38 

Making of silver — ice boating — 
toy trains. 

No. 10 (10) June 4, ’38 

Beavers — Polo — Woolens. 

No. 11(10) July 9, ’38 

Bakelite — Greyhounds — Perfume. 

No. 12(.) Aug. 13 

Hollywood-Sculling-Furs. 

PRESENTATION REVUES 

Got a Match? (20) Apr. 9, ’38 

Rainbow’s End (. .) July 2, *38 

Up in Lights (..) Aug. 13 

Pat Rooney. 

TECHNICOLOR 

lj>©Out Where the Stars Begin 

(19) May 28, ’38 

A young dancer makes good 
through the aid of a makeup man. 
With Evelyn Thawl, Jeffrey Lynn, 
Armida, Fritz Feld and Charley 
Foy. 

Sons of the Plains (19) .. .July 30/38 
Mauch Twins, Rosella Towns. 

VITAPHONE COMEDIES 

My Pop (..) July 16, ’38 

Stocks and Blondes (20) . .May 21. ’38 
Under the Wire (20) Mar. 26, '38 

VITAPHONE GAY-ETIES 

Hold That Ball (21) Apr. 23. '38 

Rise and Sing (21) June 25, ’38 

There Goes the Bride (20) . . .Aug. 27 
Fifl D'Orsay. 

Waiting Around (20) Feb. 26 

Frank Libuse, Shea and Raymond, 
Margo Brander, Stanley Twins, 
Joan Merrill. 

VITAPHONE VARIETY 

Crawfords, The (10) Apr. 9, ’38 

Juggling Fool (11) May 14, ’38 

Sw ing Cat’s Jamboree (10) . . . . Aug. 6 

Louis Prima 

Vitaphone Capers (10) . .June 18, ’38 
Vitaphone Gambols (10) .. Mar. 19, ’38 

TRUE ADVENTURES 
(By' Floyd Gibbons) 

A Dream Comes True 

(11) June 4, ’38 

Dear Old Dad (12) Apr. 16, ’38 

The Fighting Judge (12) July 2 

Shopgirl’s Evidence (12) . . . .Mar. 19 

Toils of the Law (12) Aug. 20 

Wanderlust (12) May 14, ’38 


SERIALS 


COLUMBIA 

The Great Adventures of Wild 

Bill Hicltok June 30 

15 chapters. 

Gordon Elliot, Monte Blue, Carol 
Wayne. 

Jungle Menace Sept. 1 

15 episodes (20), first chapter runs 
(30) — Frank Buck, Sasha Siemel, 
Charlotte Henry, Rubber hijackers 
in the Malayan jungle. 

Secret of Treasure Island . . . Mar. 17 
(15 episodes), Story of buried 
pirate’s treasure on an adventurer’s 
island. 

REPUBLIC 

Diclc Tracy Returns Aug. 20 

15 Chapters — Dick Byrd - Lynn 
Roberts. 

Fighting Devil Dogs, The.... May 28 

12 chapters. Lee Powell, Herman 
Brix, Eleanor Stewart, Montagu 
Love. 

Painted Stallion Jtnne 5, '38 

With Ray Corrigan and Hoot Gib- 
son. The first chapters runs about 
(7) and the rest average (19). 

UNIVERSAL 

Flaming Frontiers July 5 

15 chapters, average about 20 min- 
utes each. With Johnny Mack 
Brown and Eleanor Hansen. 

Flash Gordon’s Trip to 

Mars Mar. 22, ’38 

15 episodes, approximately (20) 
each. Larry “Buster” Crabbe and 
Jean Rogers in exciting adventures 
on Mars. 

Radio Patrol Oct. 4 

12 episodes (20) — Grant Withers- 
Catherine Hughes. The valuable 
formula for flexible steel and its 
possession by a number of people 
is the basis for this one. 


BOXOFFICE 


October 1, 1938 


SJn "The Alalc 



STARTING 


WELL ALONG 


COMPLETED 


^ UNTITLED — Buck Jones, Carmen Bailey, Milburn 
G Stone, Stanley Blystone. Producer: Monroe 

« Shaft (Coronet). Director: Elmer Clifton. Ori- 

R ginal Screenplay: Monroe Shaft, Arthur Hoerl. 

q TRAIL OF THE TUMBLEWEED— Charles Star- 
rs rett, Sons of the Pioneers. Producer: Harry L. 

^ Decker. Director: Sam Nelson. 


TIIAT WOMAN’S HERE AGAIN— Melvyn Doug- 
las, Virginia Bruce. Producer: B. B. Kahane. 
Director: A1 Hall. Screenplay: Phillip Epstein, 
James Edward Grant. 


REVOLT IN THE SAHARA — Paul Kelly, C. 
Henry Gordon, Robert Fiske, Dwight Frye, 
Lorna Gray. Producer: Lou Appleton. Direc- 
tor: R. Ross Lederman. Original: Sam Fuller. 

Screenplay: Maxwell Shane. 


EMPIRE OF THE WEST — George Houston. Pro- 
25 ducer: Franklyn Warner (Fine Arts). Director: 

O Charles Lamont. 


STAND UP AND FIGHT— Robert Taylor, Flor- 
ence Rice, Wallace Beery, Charley Grapewin, 
Helen Broderick. Producer: Mervyn LeRoy. 

5 * Director: W. S. Van Dyke. 

*7 NEW YORK CINDERELLA— Hedy Lamarr, Spen- 
cer Tracy. Producer: Lawrence Weingarten. 
Director: Josef von Sternberg. Original: Charles 

« MacArthur. 

SPRING DANCE — Maureen O’Sullivan, Ann Mor- 
ris, Franchot Tone, Joyce Compton, Dick Bald- 
win. Producer: Harry Rapf. Director: S. Sylvan 
Simon. 


OUT WEST WITH THE HARDYS— Mickey Roo- 
ney, Ann Rutherford, Lewis Stone, Fay Holden, 
Ralph Morgan, Nana Bryant, Cecilia Parker, 
Gordon Jones. Producer: Lou Ostrow. Direc- 
tor: George Seitz. Screenplay: William Lud- 
wig. 

THE SHINING HOUR — Joan Crawford, Margaret 
Sullavan, Fay Bainter, Robert Young, Melvyn 
Douglas, Harry Baris, Frank Albertson. Pro- 
ducer: Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Director: Frank 
Borzage. Original: Keith Winter. 


O GANG BULLETS — Anne Nagel. Producer: E. B. GUNPACKER — Jack Randall. Producer: Robert 
25 Derr. Original Screenplay: John T. Neville. Tansey. Screenplay: Robert Emmett. Director: 

O Wallace Fox. 


GANGSTER’S BOY — Jackie Cooper, Robert War- 
wick, Louise Lorimer, Tommy Wonder. Pro- 
ducer: Scott R. Dunlap. Director: William 
Nigh. Original Screenplay: Robert Andrews. 


RIDERS OF THE RANGE — Bill Boyd, Ruth Rog- 
ers, George Hayes, Russell Hayden, Stanley 
A* Ridges. Producer: Harry Sherman. Director: 

p- Lesley Selander. Original: Clarence E. Mulford. 

< 

On AMBUSH — Gladys Swarthout, Richard Stanley. 
Producer: Harold Hurley. Director: Kurt Neu- 
mann. 


DISBARRED — Gail Patrick, Robert Preston, Otto 
Kruger. Clay Clement. Producer: Stuart Walker. 
Director: Robert Florey. Original: Harry Sau- 
ber. 

KING OF CHINATOWN — Anna May Wong, Philip 
Ahn, Akim Tamiroff. Producer: Stuart Walker. 
Director: Nick Grinde. Screenplay: Stuart 

Anthony, Robert Yost. 


SAY IT IN FRENCH — Ray Milland, Olympe 
Bradna, Irene Hervey, Janet Beecher, Evelyn 
Keyes. Producer: Andrew Stone. Director: 
Andrew Stone. Original: Jacques Deval. Screen- 
play: Frederick Jackson. 


LOVE MATCH — Irene Dunne, Charles Boyer. Pro- 
Q ducer; Leo McCarey. Director: Leo McCarey. 
Original: Leo McCarey. 

CC 

PICARDY MAX— Chester Morris. Producer: Cliff 
Reid. Original: Harold Shumate. 


TRAILER ROMANCE — Lucille Ball, James Elli- 
son, Lee Bowman. Producer: Cliff Reid. Direc- 
tor: Garson Kanin. 

LAWLESS VALLEY — George O'Brien, Kay Sut- 
ton. Walter Miller, Fred Kohler sr. Producer: 
Bert Gilroy. Director: David Howard. Ori- 
ginal: Benard McConville. Screenplay: John 
Twist, Clarence Young. 


PECK’S BAD BOY AT THE CIRCUS — Tommy 
Kelly, Ann Gillis, Edgar Kennedy, Benita Hume, 
Nana Bryant. Producer: Sol Lesser (Principal). 
Director: Eddie Cline. Original: George W. 
Peck. Screenplay: Robert Neville, David 

Boehm, A1 Martin. 


RODEO BUSTER — Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, 
Carol Hughes, Pert Kelton, Peggy Moran, Leroy 
Mason. Producer: Harry Grey. Director: George 
Sherman. Screenplay: Paul Franklin. 


I STAND ACCUSED— Helen Mack, Robert Cum- 
mings, Lyle Talbot. Producer: John H. Auer. 
Director: John H. Auer. Screenplay: Gordon 
Kahn. 


X 

P THANKS FOR EVERYTHING — Jack Haley, Ar- 
h* leen Whelan, Jack Oakie, Adolphe Menjou. 

ffi Producer: Harry Joe Brown. Director: William 

H A. Seiter. Screenplay: Harry Tugend. 

cnj 


THE THREE MUSKETEERS — The Ritz Brothers, 
Don Ameche, Gloria Stuart, John Carradine, 
Binnie Barnes, Amanda Duff, Joseph Schild- 
kraut, Lionel Atwill, John King. Producer: 

Raymond Griffith. Director: Alan Dwan. 

TAILSPIN — Alice Faye, Nancy Kelly, John King. 
Joan Davis, Wally Vernon, Jane Wyman. Pro- 
ducer: Harry Joe Brown. Director: Roy Del 
Ruth. 


UP THE RIVER — Preston Foster, Tony Martin, 
Phyllis Brooks. Producer: Sol Wurtzel. Direc- 
tor: A1 Werker. 


< 

D 


MADE FOR EACH OTHER — Carole Lombard, 
James Stewart, Lawrence Grant, Charles Co- 
burn, Charley Grapewin, Lionel Pape. Pro- 
ducer: David O. Selznick. Director: John Crom- 
well. Original: Rose Franken. Screenplay: 
Jo Swerling. 


TRADE WINDS — Fredric March, Joan Bennett. 
Ralph Bellamy, Ann Sothern. Producer: Wal- 
ter Wanger. Director: Tay Garnett. Original: 
Tay Garnett. Screenplay: Dorothy Parker, Alan 
Campbell. 


DKSTRY RIDES AGAIN — James Stewart. Pro- 
ducer: Joe Pasternak. Original: Max Brand. 
Screenplay: Harold Shumate, 
g THREE SMART GIRLS GROW UP — Deanna Dur- 
g bln. Nan Grey, Helen Parrish. Producer: Joe 
D Pasternak. Director: Henry Koster. 

WEST SIDE MIRACLE — Edmund Lowe, Helen 
Mack, Dick Foran. Producer: Burt Kelly. Di- 
rector: Arthur Lubin. 


STRANGE FACES — Frank Jenks, Dorothea Kent, 
Leon Ames, Andy Devine. Producer: Burt 
Kelly. Director: Errol Taggart. Original: Cor- 
nelius Reece, Arndt Giusti. Screenplay: Charles 
Grayson. 


EXPOSED — Glenda Farrell, Otto Kruger, David 
Oliver, Herbert Mundin. Producer: Max H. 
Golden. Director: Harold Shuster. Screen- 
play: Charles Kaufman. 

THE STORM — Preston Foster, Andy Divine, Tom 
Brown, Charles Bickford. Producer: Ken Gold- 
smith. Director: Harold Young. Original: Hugh 
King, Daniel Moore. Screenplay: Hugh King, 
Daniel Moore, George Yohalem. 


£ DODGE CITY — Errol Flynn, George Bancroft, 
• Humphrey Bogart, Charles Bickford, Victor 
>3 Jory. Walter Brennan. Producer: Robert Lord. 

> Director: Michael Curtiz. 


MURDER PLANE — Ronald Reagan, Irene Rhodes, 
James Stephenson, Rosella Towne. Producer: 
Bryan Foy. Director: Noel Smith. 


NANCY DREW, DETECTIVE— Bonita Granville. 
Frankie Thomas, John Lite!, Charles Trowbridge. 
Producer: Bryan Foy. Director: William Mc- 
Gann. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 



SELLS AND BUYS EQUIPMENT. THEATRES. SERVICES 


Classified Ads 10c Per Word, Payable in Advance. 


bleating 4jou.5e 

Minimum $1.00. Display Rates on Request • 


GENERAL EQUIPMENT 


CLOSING OUT OVERSTOCK OF GOOD 
USED SOUND EQUIPMENT. HALSTEAD, 
Webster, Cinemaphone, RCA Amplifiers 
from $14.50. Soundheads, $9.95 up. Speak- 
ers low as 95c. Some swell buys — good for 
experiments, tests, etc. New Bargain Lists 
just out. S.O.S., 636 Eleventh Ave., New 
York. 10-1 


DUO LIGHT-MASTER super low in- 
tensity projection lamps, with 14-inch 
reflectors. More light with no increase 
in operating cost. Scott-Ballantyne Co., 
219 North 16th St., Omaha, Neb. 10-1 


NEW EQUIPMENT 


EVERYTHING FOR YOUR THEATRE 
IS IN THE NEW S.O.S. “BOOTHSIDE 
COMPANION” — greatest theatre equip- 
ment catalog in industry. Now on the 
press — shows everything for the modern 
theatre at prices that can’t be beat. Post- 
card will reserve your copy. S.O.S. , 636 
Eleventh Ave., New York. 10-1 


DUO SOUND-MASTER NEW ECO- 
NOMY MODEL. Top quality at lowest 
prices. Write for complete information. 
Scott-Ballantyne Co., 219 North 16th St., 
Omaha, Neb. 10-1 


SOUND EQUIPMENT 


$300 BUYS two Synchrofilm portable 
machines with amplifiers; good condition. 
S. B. Callaham, Broken Bow, Okla. 10-1 


USED EQUIPMENT 


USED SOUND EQUIPMENT. Sound 
heads, amplifiers, speakers. Priced to sell. 
Write for complete list and prices. Scott- 
Ballantyne Co., 219 North 16th St., Omaha, 
Neb. 10-8 


THEATRE CHAIRS 

LOADS OF GOOD “SEAT MILEAGE” 
STILL IN THESE CHAIRS! Thousands 
of fine American Seating, Ideal, Irwin, 
other famous makes — biggest variety ve- 
neer and upholstered at 75c up. Ask for 
List 15Q. S.O.S., 636 Eleventh Ave., New 

York. 10-1 


SEAT RECOVERING 


ARTIFICIAL LEATHER MOLESKIN— 
81c per yd.; Sateen 60c yd. Six seats 
from two yards. Samples on request. 
Commercialeather, 116 Merrimac St., Bos- 
ton. 10-15 


CHAIRS REUPHOLSTERED 


YOUR CHAIRS reupholstered like new, 
reasonable. Russell Carr, 1430 Clairmount, 
Detroit, Mich. 10-22 

BOXOFFICE :: October 1, 1938 


THEATRES WANTED 


THEATRE WANTED — Pennsylvania or 
Ohio. Cash available. Send details first 
letter. B-1031, Boxoffice, 4704 E. 9th St., 
Kansas City, Mo. 10-22 


WANTED — Small theatre in Michigan. 
F. C. Phillips, 1519 North Sag St., Flint, 
Mich. 10-1 


WILL BUY OR LEASE theatres in Cali- 
fornia; must stand investigation. Give all 
information in first letter. B-1030 Box- 
office, 4704 E. 9th St., Kansas City, 
Mo. 10-1 


BOOKS 


HERE’S THE "DOUBLE” FOR ALL 
BOOTH TROUBLES— ONLY $1.29 brings 
you RCA Handbook of RCA equipment — 
and Sloane’s “Motion Picture Projection.” 
Rush your order. S.O.S., 636 Eleventh 
Ave., New York. 10-1 


FILMS FOR SALE 


TERRITORIAL RIGHTS on latest all- 
talking Finnish film for sale. Brand new 
prints. East and west still open. Film is 
dynamite in Finnish-populated sections. 
Write or wire Bio Kuva Film Distributors, 
Phelps, Wis. 10-1 


POSITIONS WANTED 


AT LIBERTY — Projectionist; experi- 
enced and capable. References furnished. 
Go anywhere for reasonable wages. Edwin 
Koerner, Eureka, S. D. 10-1 


EXPERIENCED advertising man and 
relief operator. T. M. Clark, Comanche, 
Okla. 10-1 


EXPERIENCED MANAGER, booker, 
buyer; also can handle exploitation and 
advertising; formerly with Paramount; 
now employed; wishes change; best ref- 
erences; age 29. B-1032, Boxoffice, 4704 
E. 9th St., Kansas City, Mo. 10-8 


MARRIED MAN — Eight years servicing 
sound equipment with biggest company. 
Two years managing own theatre. Wish 
position managing with independent ex- 
hibitor in South. Best references fur- 
nished. Now employed, but anxious to quit 
road. B-1024, Boxoffice, 4704 East 9th St., 
Kansas City, Mo. 10-8 


PROJECTIONIST — 28 years experience. 
All standard equipment. Interested only 
in southern California. B-1033, Boxoffice, 
4704 East 9th St., Kansas City, Mo 10-1 


What Do You Want? 


—TO SELL YOUR THEATRE 
—TO BUY A THEATRE 
—A JOB, A POSITION OPEN 
—TO BUY OR SELL EQUIPMENT 
—MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES 


Whatever you want — it will pay you to advertise your needs in 

THE CLEARING HOUSE 


HERE IS YOUR HANDY “AD ORDER” BLANK 


BOXOFFICE, 

4704 East Ninth St., 
Kansas City, Mo. 


(Send Cash 
With Order) 


10c a word 
4 insertions 
at price of 3 


Kindly insert the following ad times in your "CLEARING 

HOUSE” section, running through ALL eight sectional editions of BOXOFFICE: 

(Don't forget to count words in name and address that is to appear in the ad). 
Blind ads — 10c extra to cover cost of postage. 


O Address copy to BOXOFFICE, 4704 E. Ninth St., Kansas City, Mo. 
Forms dose Monday noon preceding: publication date. 



presents his 
first) release thru UNITED ARTISTS 

Out-laughing “Topper”. . . out- 
romancing “Merrily We Live” — 
Hal Roach, the industry’s No. 1 
comedy producer, gives you the 
picture that will out-boxoffice 



starring 

FREDRIC VIRGINIA 

MARCH BRUCE 


with 

PATSY KELLY • ALAN MOWBRAY 
NANCY CARROLL • EUGENE PALLETTE 

ETIENNE GIRARDOT • Directed by NORMAN Z. McLEOD 

Screen play by EDDIE MORAN and JACK JEVNE 
From an original story by Ed Sullivan 

Produced by MILTON H. BREN 

RELEASED THRU UNITED ARTISTS 





- 




afia. Foreign $10 


Car. 


NATIONAL EDITION 


icture 


■ .: 


■ - 


...A GREAT AND HUMAN 
EDITOR SALUTES A GREAT 
AND HUMAN PICTURE! 


WILLIAM ALLEN WHITE, editor of the 
Emporia Gazette, in speaking about 

BOB BURNS in Paramount’s 
"THE ARKANSAS TRAVELER" 

says:— “It’s the first newspaper picture I’ve 
ever seen that isn’t either tough or hick. It 
has moving veracity in dialogue, clothes 
and action. There were no hardboiled 
reporters punishing desks and telephones 
and no drunks. I was surprised and 
pleased. It’s an honor to have my name 
connected with a story of that sort." 




LEO’S BIG 
LOVE AFFAIR! 





if , m% 

"m 

( /v 


—it was love at first sight 



he swept her off her feet 


C> 




—he showered her 
with jewels 




~£- 


# 


miss eox-cr ice 


% 

7 K 

—And now see what 
Miss Box-office gets 

Just previewed in California and the ■■ 
talk of the Coast! Prediction: it will top 
all MacDonald - Eddy triumphs. Every 
studio in Hollywood watches as hit 
follows hit from M-G-M! 








. MacDONALD 

SWEETHEARTS 


EDDY 


vS 


. / ' , 
VICTOR HERBERT Lore -bon*- 

Thrills melodies b ? ,h ' 

r M r H " f "' ■ 5 “”"" 

**«*”. “ p, ‘"y “ ‘ p “'“" " 



IT S ENTIRELY IN BEAUTIFUL 

technicolor <■ 



. i 1 r>»zzlin« spectacle becomes 

t':i::t:bb^J erl Te r u,ou ! 


Wait until you see 


^ . » V a 1 1 uimx ; — - , , 

v ivi im THIS MATCH! and otlier eye-filling spectacles. 

CAST OF FUNSTERS! HEAVEN MADETHIS ^ ^ ^ 


,he colorful "tulip scene 


II wring your 


sweethearts indeed! 



Their greatest .. u ve never 

a *1 NeUon 

s, - — 


heard Their love sones ' 


before! 


Froo. lell _'° "“H' 1 f" n ; m l,|e looted Rav Bol 
hilarious Fronh Moreno . n " M 

1 Mi.e ha Auer (remember mm 
jer. nod | Florence R'« 

Man Godfrey f) P lus 



BRAINS 

at the 
IIELM! 


FRANK MORGAN • M Jf “g 

— *ar- 

jr:"rr.~- — 



/.he background for gxtra romance 


' , , . . , Bromberg Directed by W. S, 

Antoinette -ana 


PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY BY 

ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS 


Vol. 33 Number 20 


October 8, 1938 

Member 

Audit Bureau of Circulations 


Editorial Offices: 9 rockefeller plaza, new 
york city; Publication Office: 4704 e. 9th 
st., Kansas city, mo.; Hollywood: 6404 holly- 
wood blvd.; Chicago: 332 s. Michigan blvd. 



BEN SHLYEN 

Publisher 

MAURICE KANN 

Editor-in-Chief 


William G. Formby, Editor; Jesse Shlyen, 
Managing Editor; J. Harry Toler, Modern 
Theatre Editor; Joseph H. Gallagher, Gen- 
eral Manager; Ivan Spear, Western Manager. 


A PLEBISCITE FOR SHORTS 


I N MINOR KEY, the output shifts from year to year. 

In styles, the changes are more frequent, of course. 
And that's about as far as this industry budges in an- 
alyzing its short subject requirements. 

Your average sales manager views this end of the 
market with tolerance and, by no manner of means, is it 
always good-natured tolerance at that. He inclines to- 
ward the view he has to handle shorts because it is 
company policy, but the concentration and the inclina- 
tion and the love for the job are on the features. 

Undeniably and in a number of instances, shorts find 
their dubious market because the distributor forces them 
with his features. The consequences of this have been 
an exhibitor rampage, predicated as always, on the 
economic dictates of his situation. He asks why he is 
compelled to buy — and pay for — shorts which he cannot 
use and more newsreels than his screen can hold. 
It seems screwy and it is screwy. We don't know why 
he must, but we'd like to find out. 

Where the system operates in this fashion, the dis- 
tributor benefits; he gets paid for the one and the two- 
reelers. The exhibitor does the paying, frequently fails 
to pick up the prints, sticks to his double features and 
asks what kind of a business this is anyway. It's a moot 
point, that. 

If, by this time, you are a reader in search of an 
answer, we may be in a position to help. Of the three 
major arms of this business, distribution has changed 
the least. It has changed less than production and ex- 
hibition because the major companies, drawing upon 
their experience and in the light of the sales organiza- 
tions developed from that experience, are adamant in 
their marketing formula where output enters. The com- 
pany which, for years, has sold sixty features continues 
to sell exactly sixty features largely because the sales- 
men are there to handle that number and because the 
requirements of the whole market are viewed as being 
constant. 

However, the need is not constant. You don't have to 
go beyond the larger theatres which today hold over at- 
tractions for a third, a fourth or a week beyond for the 
answer. It is a progressive step, this idea of playing 
real attractions for what they are worth, but here, too, 
there are consequences. The next onrushing release 


is delayed, the subsequents play the product even later, 
one season overlaps the next and unknown thousands 
are constantly washed out in the consolidation of the 
unused product with the deal for the following year. 
It is happening all the time and to what dollar extent 
is anybody's guess. 

The fixation cloaking the method of determining feature 
output also applies directly to shorts. The companies 
make them in pretty much a constant volume since it 
is their habit to do so. They do couple, or they have 
coupled, the shorts with the features, some revenue is 
thereby automatically assured and the selling job re- 
garded as complete. 

Only it is not. For, as the double feature maintains 
its strong hold and, perhaps, increases it, the opportunity 
for shorts obviously shrinks. In an unspecifically specific 
way, everyone knows this to be fact, yet pays no at- 
tention to the problem thereby poised. One essential 
of that problem is the expenditure, annually, of large 
sums on a line of product with very little information 
pointing toward rewards for the enterprise. 

Don't draw the conclusion this space knows the an- 
swer. Not at all. It merely, and obviously enough, sug- 
gests some sort of merchandising yardstick be applied 
in an effort to learn what the answer might reasonably 
be. It knows that the current situation is well en- 
trenched on the goofy side and it believes there are 
large numbers of one and two-reelers which would not 
know a projection machine if they had the chance to 
thread one. It thinks, too, many negative costs are never 
returned and that the uneconomic state of affairs which 
this suggests ought to be submitted to somebody's at- 
tention. 

In the distributor view, the idea is to close contracts, 
then nab play dates. And why not? But does the selling 
cost warrant the job and are the returns proportionate 
to the whole endeavor? And, then, what about the ex- 
hibitor and his needs? 

We hope you don't mind our mentioning him. He's 
only the fellow who pays the freight. 


i&AMA-* 


GOVT INSISTS CIRCUITS CHECK EXPANSION; 
MAJORS UNDETERMINED, BUT MAY NOT YIELD 


Chains Still Protesting the 
Independent "Edge" 
Attitude Gives 

New York — Determined to halt theatre 
expansion by major circuits, either by 
building or leasing, the department of 
justice is understood to have made clear 
that such is its stand on this phase of the 
government’s anti-trust suit. Thurman 
Arnold, assistant to the attorney general 
and in charge of anti-trust proceedings, 
is said to have minced no words when he 
conferred with attorneys for five major 
companies recently at William J. Dono- 
van’s home at Georgetown, Md. 

Arnold is reported to have insisted on 
a status quo theatre setup because of the 
many complaints being sent into the de- 
partment by independents throughout the 
country. However, counsel for Loew’s, 
20th-Fox, Paramount, Warner and RKO 
are understood to have detailed numerous 
reasons why such a stand would en- 
danger their interests and, at the same 
time, leave an open field for unaffiliated 
exhibitors in closely held situations. 

Attitude Not Taken Lightly 

That the government’s attitude is not 
taken lightly has been reflected on sev- 
eral fronts. Attorneys who were present 
at Georgetown are referring all inquiries 
to Washington, declining to comment on 
the outcome of the talks with Arnold and 
his assistant, Paul Williams. 

No new theatres have been acquired by 
the majors since the suit was started al- 
though RKO dropped two in this territory. 
Warner acquired the Palace, Orange, N. J„ 
from Moe Kridel, as the result of a set- 
tlement of a three-year suit. This, how- 
ever, is not regarded as a new deal since 
it predates the government action. 

One important exhibitor leader, when 


FBI Checkup Now 
Under Way 

New York — Allied and local exhibi- 
tors who have filed complaints against 
major circuits have been assured that 
investigators from Washington will call 
on them “shortly'' to get further de- 
tails. This not only applies to the New 
York areas, but to other parts of the 
country as well. 

It was previously indicated the de- 
partment of justice was after "about 50 
bona fide" complaints, “four or five" 
from different key cities. It is under- 
stood more than the total sought has 
been turned in with New York, Chi- 
cago, New England, Minnesota and 
Texas supplying the majority of “valid" 
charges. 


questioned about the Georgetown confer- 
ence, dismissed it lightly by saying, “noth- 
ing happened.” 

Notwithstanding, major company attor- 
neys are understood to have been advised 
that, unless they agree to halt until the 
suit is tried, the government would seek 
immediate hearing on its temporary in- 
junction in the original complaint. It is 
also understood Arnold is seeking the gen- 
eral cooperation of major defendants and 
that, unless he can get this, he will move 
along without granting further conces- 
sions, such as another delay in filing an- 
swers if such are deemed necessary by 
counsel. 

While theatre expansion was the prin- 
cipal topic of discussion, attorneys also 
took up the matter of the government’s 
attitude toward the trade practice meet- 
ings planned. Counsel for the five film 
companies are reported to have sought an 
understanding on how far the industry 
could go in bringing about exhibitor-dis- 
tributor accord on so-called industry 
abuses without the government using the 
remedies, if any are decided upon, as part 
of its case. 

Columbia and UA Not Joining 

Attorneys for Columbia and UA are not 
joining the Hays office meetings during 
which the government suit is discussed. 
Their attitude is they have no interest in 
theatres and that whatever decisions are 
made by other counsel is of no value to 
them. 

With the date for filing answers less 
than a month off, indications are some of 
the companies will not be ready. UA, Co- 
lumbia and Universal are expected to 
answer on time. The other defendant 
corporations, all of which are making sur- 
veys and checkups on theatre holdings and 
affiliated interests, are understood plan- 
ning to ask for more time. Inasmuch as 
the government is reported dissatisfied 
with the attitude taken by major com- 
panies at the Georgetown conclave, a 
court request may become necessary. 
Counsel for Universal, UA and Columbia, 
furthermore, did not attend the meeting 
with Arnold and Williams. 

Meanwhile, the government is not re- 
laxing in its efforts to build up a strong 
case for the preliminary hearings due 
shortly in the local federal court. Arnold 
personally has answered a number of com- 
plainants. FBI men will visit them in a 
few days to check up on various phases 
of letters sent in. 

From reliable sources, it is learned the 
department is particularly anxious to in- 
vestigate complaints involving alleged 
threats on the part of major circuits to 
either build or lease in independent situa- 
tions. At least five such letters were sent 
to Washington by Harry G. Kosch, at- 
torney for Allied of New York. Those in- 
volved central and upstate New York ex- 
hibitors. 

Boxoffice’s correspondent upstate re- 
ports three majors are the subject of a 


Attorneys Split Their 
Meetings 

New York — Major company attorneys 
this week split their meetings between 
Col. William J. Donovan's office and 
the Hays organization. Outside coun- 
sel retained by the five major com- 
panies with circuit affiliations got to- 
gether at Donovan's headquarters, 
while home office attorneys met in 
their usual way at the Hays camp. 


vicious charge by an independent exhibi- 
tor. Salesmen from these companies 
whose names are understood to be known 
are said to have openly threatened the- 
atremen m that section. The exhibitor in 
question has already sent his complaint 
to Washington. 

Allied units in all parts of the country 
have been advised by Abram F. Myers, 
general counsel for the national organi- 
zation, to get in touch with members who 
may have complaints against the major 
circuits, and essentially those exhibitors 
W’ho are being “coerced or threatened” by 
salesmen. 

New Jersey Allied Topic 

The government suit will be one of the 
highlights of the Allied of New Jersey con- 
vention at Atlantic City, October 19-21. 
Myers is slated to attend and bring up a 
number of interesting inside sidelights on 
the developments so far. He is reported 
taking an active part in soliciting com- 
plaints from independent exhibitors, 
whether Allied members or not, in an ef- 
fort to bulwark the government’s case. 

Not unexpectedly, Joseph Rosenberg, 
counsel for Allied of Illinois, has submitted 
the action instituted recently against B&K 
and major distributors to the government. 
He appeared in Washington and person- 
ally turned over the formal charges pre- 
viously filed in Chicago federal court. 

George Ryan, attorney for Morse & 
Rothenberg, has started to take deposi- 
tions on subpoenae duces tecum in con- 
nection with the anti-trust suit against 
major companies in Boston. Paramount 
executives were examined early in the 
week with other company heads following. 
Attorneys have been huddling the past 
week with theatre operating heads on 
various pointers which came up for airing 
at the Georgetown palaver. Just what the 
circuits are willing to do, or not do in the 
final analysis, is something not yet de- 
cided, but the subject of the many con- 
ferences behind closed doors. 


Chain Drive Ends Soon 

New York— National Theatres’ second 
annual drive, now in its fourth week, will 
end December 24. Divisional operators are 
competing for best improvement in opera- 
tions as compared to last year. 


4 


BOXOFFICE ; : October 8, 1938 


SELF-REGULATION TALKS RESUMING WITH 
JUSTICE DEP'T REPORTED WARM TO IDEA 


Worry Over State Legislation 
Stems to 44 Nearing Sessions 


New York— W hy high circles here are concerned over the possibility a flood of 
state legislation may confront the industry in the event self -regulation cannot be 
adopted between now and the end of the year is demonstrated in the tally of im- 
pending law-making sessions. 

Forty-four of the 48 states will launch their sessions beginning January 2 
when California, Idaho, Montana, Ohio, and Tennessee get under way to be fol- 
lowed the next day by Delaware, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, 
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Dakota. 

Of the 44 opening dates, 42 fall in January. Florida starts on April 4 and 
Georgia on July 17. The customary length of the sessions, provided they are not 
extended for extraordinary reasons, is 60 days. 


Arizona 

Arkansas 


Georgia 


Kansas 


However, many states, under their 

> is what 

the chart looks like: 

Starts 

Runs in Days 

...Jan. 

10.. 

50 days 

...Jan. 

9.. 

60 days 

...Jan. 

9.. 

60 days 


2.. 

.. .no limit 

...Jan. 

4.. 

no limit 

...Jan. 

4.. 

154 days 

...Jan. 

3.. 

60 days 


4.. 

60 days 

...July 

17.. 

60 days 

...Jan. 

2.. 

60 days 


4.. 

no limit 


5.. 

61 days 

-Jan. 

9.. 

no limit 


10.. 

no limit 


4.. 

no limit 


4.. 

90 days 

-Tan. 

4.. 

no limit 


4.. 

no limit 


3.. 

90 days 


4.. 

70 days 


2.. 

60 days 

- an. 

3.. 

..not less than 60 days 

-Jan. 

16.. 

60 days 


4.. 

..two years less 7 days 


10.. 

no limit 


New Mexico 


•Jan. 10 60 days 


New York j an 

North Carolina .Jan. 

North Dakota jan. 

Ohio ....Jan. 

Oklahoma jan. 

Oregon ...Jan. 

Pennsylvania Jan. 

Rhode Island ....Jan. 

South Carolina ........Jan. 10 40 days 

South Dakota ...Jan, 3 60 days 

Tennessee .....Jan 


4 no limit 

4 ...no limit 

3 60 days 

2 no limit 

3 60 days 

9 40 days 

3 no limit 

3 60 days 


Texas 

Utah jan. 

Vermont Jan. 

Washington jan. 

West Virginia Jan. 

Wisconsin Jan. 


2... 75 days 

•Jan. 10 120 days 

9 60 days 

4 no limit 

9 60 days 

11 60 days 

11 no limit 


Wyoming Jan. 10 40 days 


Washington — Barring a special session, which has been suggested as a result of 
the failure of industry and agriculture to show the hoped for improvement, the 
next session of Congress will convene January 3. 

What it will discuss in the form of industry legislation is still a matter of con- 

( Continued on page 12) 


Kuykendall Claims Has 
Assurance Meetings 
Will Proceed 

New York — On the reported strength of 
the department of justice’s willingness to 
see what might be worked out, self regu- 
lation talks cn the original broad scale 
will be resumed shortly. This indicates 
major company counsel, therefore, has re- 
vised its legal approach and now views 
as feasible for the industry to proceed with 
efforts to set its house in order. 

This is the understood background of a 
statement issued Wednesday by Ed Kuy- 
kendall, MPTOA president, in which he 
declared he had the assurance of S. R. 
Kent and Wm. F. Rodgers that “meetings 
will take place at the earliest possible date 
consistent with the ability of interested 
parties to come to New York.” 

Indicating the scope of the resumed 
meetings which Kent had first stated might 
have been launched by Labor Day provided 
counsel so advised the majors, Kuyken- 
dall declared that “naturally discussions 
will be around our 20 per cent cancella- 
tion demand, conciliation boards, abolition 
of score charges and designated play- 
dates. There will be, of course, other prob- 
lems to work out.” 

The MPTOA head also said that meetings 
will be held this month, but Boxoffice 
learns no da.es have been set and will not 
be until the program of consultation with 
various exhibitor groups can be worked out. 

Earlier in the week, reliable information 
indicated individual self regulatory action 
by two major companies was planned. 
Much serious consideration has been, and 
perhaps still is, given the thought there 
can be no legal impairments involved in 
an individual company movement along 
solo lines. 

The theory was that if one or two com- 
panies announced trade practice reforms 
others might be persuaded to follow suit. 
In light of this unexpected turn, however, 
this course now becomes unnecessary. 

Cowdin in England lor 
Financial Deal Windup 

London — J. Clieever Cowdin, chairman 
of the Universal board, is due Monday on 
the Queen Mary to complete financing ar- 
rangements with Lord Portal and C. M. 
Woolf and other British interests. When 
he was here some weeks ago, Cowdin set 
a deal with Portal and Woolf for $1,750,- 
000, which is expected to be finalized be- 
fore he leaves for New York again. 


RKO Sells Martin Circuit 

Atlanta — The Martin circuit with 29 
situations in Georgia, Florida and Ala- 
bama, has bought the RKO list. 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


5 



Published Every Saturday by 

ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS 


Editorial Offices: 9 Rockefeller Plaza, New 
York City. J. H. Gallagher, General Man- 
ager. Wm. Ornstein, Eastern editor. Tele- 
phone Columbus 5-6370, 5-6371, 5-6372. 
Cable address: “Boxoffice, New York.” 
Western Offices: 6404 Hollywood Blvd., 
Hollywood, Calif. Ivan Spear, Manager. 
Telephone Gladstone 1186. 

Publication Offices: 4704 E. 9th St., Kan- 
sas City, Mo. Telephone Chestnut 7777. 
Other Associated Publications: Boxoffice 
BAROMETER, published annually; Box- 
office PICTURE GUIDE; THE MODERN 
THEATRE, published monthly as a sec- 
tion of Boxoffice. 

ALBANY — City Savings Bank Bg., B. G. Herman. 
ATLANTA — 148% Walton St., N. W„ Lee Fuhrman, 
Southeastern editor, Telephone Walnut 7171. 
BOSTON — 14 Piedmont St., Brad Angler, New 
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CHARLOTTE— The Observer, Mary B. Parham. 
CHICAGO — 332 S. Michigan Ave., Eugene D. Rich, 
Central editor. Telephone Wabash 4575. 
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Clara Hyde. Telephone Highland 1657. 
CLEVELAND — 12805 Cedar Road. Cleveland 
Heights, Elsie Loeb. Telephone Fairmount 0046. 
DALLAS — 210 S. Harwood, V. W. Crisp, South- 
western editor. Telephone 7-3553. 

DENVER — 1620 Clarkson St., J. A. Rose. 

DES MOINES — 2233 E. Grand, Rene McClusky. 
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phone Cadillac 9085. 

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Western editor. Telephone GLadstone 1186. 
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KANSAS CITY — 4704 East Ninth St., Jesse Shlyen, 
Midwest editor. Telephone CHestnut 7777. 
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Telephone 3-0156. 

MEMPHIS — Commercial Appeal, Annie Mae Day. 
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Brunner. Telephone KUbourn 6670-J. 
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Pearson. Telephone 6-4149. 

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Leigh. Telephone Algiers 1495. 

NEW YORK CITY— 9 Rockefeller Plaza, William 
Ornstein, Eastern editor. Telephone Columbus 
5-6370. 5-6371, 5-6372. 

OKLAHOMA CITY— P. O. Box 4547, E. W. Fair. 
Telephone 7-1038. 

OMAHA — 4 677 Marcy St., Monte Davis. 

PH l LA 1 >ELPH I A — Philadelphia Record, Broad & 
Wood Sts., Si Shaltz. 

PITTSBURGH — 1701 Blvd. of the Allies, R. F. 

Klingensmith. Telephone Atlantic 4858. 
PORTLAND, ORE. — The News-Telegram, D. W. 
Polivka. 

ST. LOUIS — 5149 Rosa Ave., David F. Barrett. 
Telephone Flanders 3727. 

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Bldg., Viola B. Hutton. Telephone Hyland 4369. 
SAN FRANCISCO — 5 Kimball Place, Phil Stone. 
SEATTLE — 2417 Second Ave., Joe Cooper. Tele- 
phone Elliott 8678. 

WASHINGTON — 1426 G. St., Earle A. Dyer. 

IN CANADA 

CALGARY, ALBERTA — The Albertan, William 
Campbell. 

EDMONTON, ALBERTA — The Bulletin, W. A. 
DeGraves. 

HAMILTON, ONTARIO — 20 Holton Ave., North, 
Hugh Millar. 

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E. Carruthers. 

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G., Roy Carmichael. Telephone Walnut 5519. 
OTTAWA. ONTARIO— 1146 Bank St., Milton Gal- 
braith. 

REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN— The Star, Andy 
McDermott. 

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Stuart Trueman. 

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Fessey. Telephone Howard 0158. 

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Rutty. 

VICTORIA, B. C.— 360 Robertson St., Tom Merri- 
man. 

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA— 709 Selkirk Ave., Ben 
Lepkln. 




S OMEWHERE recently, someone 
concluded, and rashly, the day 
of the star had set. More nonsense 
has seldom cleared the linotypes. 
The values constantly alter, but the 
star is as permanent as the celestial 
counterpart that twinkles on clear 
nights. 

On that very point, this ought to 
be told: 

When Nate Blumberg quit 20 
years plus in exhibition to run Uni- 
versal, his intent then was to re- 
member his past and also to remem- 
ber the idea is to make product, not 
for Hollywood and back-slapping, 
but for the men who run theatres. 
He has been trying to do that, not 
without the usual difficulties and 
some of the rewards, potentially at 
any rate. 

What is happening around Uni- 
versal today merely proves two 
points. One is that Blumberg is 
remaining steadfast to his training 
which tells him it's the star picture 
that counts, provided it's got what it 
takes. The other is what's hap- 
pened in that direction. 

1. Bing Crosby's outside picture 
goes to Universal. 

2. W. C. Fields signed for "You 
Can't Cheat an Honest Man." And 
Bergen and Charlie McCarthy add- 
ed to the cast. 

3. As the result of a story deal 
with M-G-M, Universal gets the up- 
and-coming lead for one picture. His 
name is Jimmy Stewart and his film, 
"Destry Rides Again.” Also Bob 
Montgomery for one and Robert 
Young, recently elevated to stardom 
by Metro, for a third. 

These are the "bonus" pictures 
Universal has been talking about. 
They go out as part of the regular 
1938-39 contract. It is furthermore 
correct to report that circuit men are 
becoming increasingly aware of the 
added star power which Blumberg 
has acquired; that the glances once 
casually turned toward "U" are now 
punctuated with much more alert- 
ness and interest. 

Indignant Observer 

Proving the old one about the 
manner in which the industry is 
observed on the outside is a letter 



to the industry drive commitee. It 
goes: 

Your recent advertising invited 
“opinions, criticism, or suggestions 
about motion pictures." It is amazing 
that you “lead with your chin" in that 
fashion, and I seriously doubt as to 
your doing anything about the com- 
ments that will probably bombard 
you — except, possibly, to classify them 
and then file them in some dusty 
archive. 

You will be dodging a barrage of 
pent-up wrath about the double fea- 
tures (which I detest) like a ham 
actor seeking to avoid the fusilade of 
vegetables while before the curtain 
after essaying a performance of “Ham- 
let.'' You will get plenty about the 
cheap tawdriness of Bank Nights, 
Screeno, Ten-O-Win, etc. Those things 
smell to high heaven. They are so 
stenchful that I pass by to call your 
attention to just one specific and cur- 
rent item and that, the advertising 
that is appearing in connection with 
“Campus Confessions" — one of your 
$250,000 prize pictures. It is enclosed. 
Examine it. “The Bare Truth About 
College Youth . . . Co-eds Come Clean 
. . . Boys Tell All" and a couple of 
suggestive stills to give emphasis. 
The picture itself is an innocent kin- 
dergarten affair. Neither of the stills 
. appears in the screen version as ex- 
hibited. I would deeply appreciate 
your informing me as to whether you 
deem, the ad warranted. 

Will Hays and Joseph I. Breen, with 
Sidney R. Kent's committee on adver- 
tising, together with the Advertising 
Advisory Council (Lester Thompson) 
are supposed to have put an end to 
such misleading advertising — or are 
they? 

The copy was placed by our old 
friend, the Criterion, and ran in 
many New York newspapers. "In- 
dignant Observer" should have 
caught some of the lobby art used 
there for other pictures. He'd froth. 

So They'd Know 

Ben Goetz in Hollywood provided 
Harry Brand with a reasonable op- 
portunity for a party. When all the 
Goetzes assemble, that's quite apt 
to be a delegation. 

To keep his other guests happy, 
Brand had buttons made. One read: 
"I am a Goetz." The other, "I am 
not a Goetz." 

The party was very successful. 


LETTERS FROM OUR READERS 

On page 14 of this issue 


6 


BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1938 





JACKIE COOPER 
IRENE RICH 
NANCY CARROLL 
JOHN HALLIDAY 


Screenplay by Bruce Manning 
Original story by F. Hugh Herbert 
Music by Jimmy McHugh and Harold Adamson 

Directed by EDWARD LUDWIG 
A JOE PASTERNAK Production 


A NEW UNIVERSAL PICTURE/ 


r . "MY OWN”, 'THAT CERTAIN 
» * AGE”, "BE A GOOD SCOUT” 

"YOU’RE AS PRETTY AS A PICTURE” 
WALTZ ARIA/rom"ROMEO & JULIET” 
&"LES FILLES DE CADIX” by DELIBES 





CONCERTED BUYING MOVE TAKING SHAPE; 
MOST OF THE DEALS ARE WITH CIRCUITS 



CAM^IG^COMMITTEE MO'ITOM PICTURES' GREATEST YEAR Inc. 

THEATRES PRODUCERS DISTRIBUTORS 

1270-6th AVE., NEW YORK Circle 7-5292 


Sept. 29th, 1938 


Mr. "Red" Kann 
Boxofflce 

9 Rockefeller Plaza 
New York, N.Y # 


Dear Red: 


Even at the risk of becoming 
repetitious, I find myself thanking you 
again for your matchless coverage. 


rely. 





PAUL GULICK. 
Coordinator 


PG:ct 


Motion Pictures Are Your Best Entertainment 


Sales Executives Into Field 
To Negotiate Film 
Contracts 

New York — Sales managers, division, 
district and branch managers of the ma- 
jor companies are head over heels in film 
deals, a concerted move having developed 
by buyers all over the country to con- 
summate negotiations for product which 
have been under way for some time. 

During the past several weeks, sales 
executives of virtually every company have 
been making trips to the field, some go- 
ing on extended tours of the territory 
while others limiting visits to one or two 
days on deals requiring immediate atten- 
tion. 

Mostly Circuit Deals 

Most of the contracts now being signed 
are with partners of the major circuits 
and the circuits themselves. RKO, Loew’s 
and National Theatres have almost com- 
pleted all their deals and the few remain- 
ing products are expected to be cleaned 
up in, the next few weeks. 

It has also been noted that, in a num- 
ber of instances, district and branch mana- 
gers have been in New York working on 
deals, usually when theatre operating heads 
in their territory are here. 

Republic has closed more contracts with 
important circuits than ever before. It 
leads the independent field by a wide 
margin principally due to James R. Grain- 
ger’s visits to the territory and directly 
contacting buyers. 

In the past week, Columbia signed up 
the Martin circuit with 55 houses in Geor- 
gia, Alabama and Florida. Harry Gold re- 
cently worked out arrangements for UA 
product in a number of RKO houses and 
is virtually set on a Loew deal. Many 
other negotiations are in the wind and 
expected to be sealed shortly. 

Talks continue between National Thea- 
tres’ executives with United Artists and 
Paramount. Spyros Skouras returned from 
the coast this week after conferring with 
his brother, Charles, and E. C. Rhoden 


M-G-M Buttons Up 
Chief Accounts 

New York — All major and important 
independent accounts have been closed 
by M-G-M for the new season's prod- 
uct, a sales executive states. 

Although some of the deals include 
franchises, the provision is included 
that clearance and protection are ne- 
gotiated annually, in every given situa- 
tion. 


of Fox Midwest and Rick Ricketson of Fox 
Intermountain have been in town on film 
matters in addition to policy discussions. 

Oscar Morgan, Atlanta district manager 
for Paramount, was around for about a 
week for palavers with J. J. Unger. Wil- 
liam F. Rodgers, general sales manager 
of M-G-M, and Thomas J. Connors, east- 
ern and Canadian sales head, were in Can- 
ada for a meeting with N. L. Nathanson 
and J. J. Fitzgibbons. E. M. Saunders, 
western division sales manager, recently 
returned from a month’s tour of the coun- 
try. 

Within the past week every 20th Cen- 
tury-Fox division has been in the field and 
assisting local branch managers in signing 
up important accounts. 

Walter Branson, midwest RKO district 
manager, and several other men such as 
Nat Levy, district manager with head- 
quarters in Detroit, were in town con- 
ferring with Jules Levy not so long ago. 

A number of Paramount partners from 


every corner of the country met in New 
York about three weeks ago and now Y. 
Frank Freeman is going to spend the next 
few weeks visiting Atlanta and Dallas. 


Universal in Two-Year 
Deal With Nat'l Theatres 

New York — William A. Scully, general 
sales manager of Universal, has completed 
a two-year deal with Spyros Skouras for 
the distributor’s lineup in all National 
Theatres. Negotiations had been under way 
for some months and were finally con- 
summated this week. This marks the first 
important deal for Universal since the new 
administration took over. 


Two Republic Deals 

New York — Republic has closed new 
season deals with Warner theatres in New 
Jersey and upper New York and with Si 
Fabian’s first runs in Brooklyn. 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


9 






attraction 




A PICTURE FOR EVERYBODY. 


THEY DANCE! 

/ 


CopyrfgW T938 
NEA SERVICE, Inc 


w York’s Bro« 
loo and the 




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nd radio 




of two O 


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AND THE WOMEN ARE PLUS! 






Bank's Agent Views 
RKO Revamp Speed 

New York — “It looks as if the RKO re- 
organization is moving fast and I hope 
by the end of the year it will be all over” 
A. H. McCausland, Irving Trustee repre- 
sentative in the reorganization, told RKO 
home office executives, district managers, 
theatre managers and their assistants at 
the testimonial beefsteak dinner tendered 
to John J. O’Connor at the Hotel Astor. 

“I don’t know where I’m going from 
here,” he added, “but my tenure of six 
years next January is coming to a close. 
These six years have been the most inter- 
esting, most enjoyable and most lovable 
in my life. The friendships I’ve gotten I 
shall cherish all my life.” 

McCausland had left the federal court 
where hearings on the RKO plan had 
been in progress to attend the O’Connor 
testimonial. He added, “RKO is going 
places from now on.” Paying tribute to 
O’Connor, he said, “We are all proud of 
him. He has done a great job. RKO will 
come out of bankruptcy as a great or- 
ganization.” 

At the resumed court hearings on the 
feasibility and fairness of the RKO plan, 
Col. H. C. Rickaby and Carlos Israels spoke 
in favor of the plan. The former repre- 
sents proponents of the plan while Israels 
represents the creditors’ committee. 

Joseph Cohen, who did not complete his 
arguments when the hearing was ad- 
journed previously, argued the original 
plan whereby stockholders were to receive 
one share of the new stock for two now 
held was more favorable than the six to 
one turn in now provided under the 
amended plan. 

John Stover and William Ihrig, repre- 
senting E. W. Stirn of Milwaukee, ob- 
jected to various phases of the plan. A. K. 
Weber also attacked certain clauses. 

At the close of the hearing, Judge Wil- 
liam O. Bondy set October 25 as the next 
date for further hearings, provided such 


But He Wont Find 
It Happen 

New York — One wag at the John J. 
O'Connor testimonial dinner at the 
Hotel Astor saw A. H. McCausland, 
Irving Trust representative at RKO, sit- 
ting at the dais and blossomed with 
this one: 

"A few more years and we'll have 
a Bar Mitzvah party for Irving Trust 
in the RKO reorganization." 


Among the Jews, a boy must be 13 
to be Bar Mitzvahed, provided he is 
not an orphan under which circum- 
stance he must be 14. The ancient 
ceremony denotes his maturity into 
manhood. 

RKO is now rounding out its fifth 
year under federal court supervision, 
but is expected to emerge by the end 
of the current year. 


are necessary. In some circles, it is held 
that the setting of the date is to keep the 
plan alive on the calendar. Those con- 
testing the plan were given until October 
13 to file briefs and proponents have five 
days after that to answer. 

Increasing production costs are reported 
in the six months’ financial statement as 
responsible for a consolidated net loss of 
$480,176. 

Federal Judge Mandelbaum has di- 
rected payment of a final dividend of 3.2 
per cent on Orpheum Circuit, Inc., claims 
totaling $2,152,532. Two earlier divi- 
dends aggregating 27y 2 per cent and 
amounting to $591,641 have already been 
paid. The newly declared dividend will 
bring total payments to $696,040. 

The Seattle Orpheum Co. reports a net 
of $24,784 before interest for the year 
to April 30. 


William H. Moore Dead 

Los Angeles — William H. Moore jr„ for- 
mer Fox West Coast trustee in bankruptcy, 
died over the weekend of a heart attack. 
He was 52. 


Brings Message of 
Cheer From Coast 

New York — Hollywood’s studios are 
humming with activity and a fine crop of 
new pictures is coming 
through, Dr. A. H. Gian- 
nini told Boxoffice on 
his arrival from the 
coast. 

“Everything is fine in 
California, production 
is booming and every- 
one has his coat off,” 
he said. 

“Things are optimis- 
tic,” the former chair- 
man and president of 
UA declared, “and 
everybody is happy.” Dr. 
to a number of companies, such as M-G-M, 
20th Century-Fox and Columbia and as- 
serted, “they have a lot of great stuff 
coming through.” He also listed a num- 
ber of pictures already released and about 
to be distributed. 

As chairman of the Los Angeles Com- 
munity Chest drive to raise $3,200,000 for 
welfare purposes, Dr. Giannini made the 
trip east especially to line up a prominent 
speaker to talk on the drive. In this con- 
nection, he said, “we have one of the big- 
gest welfare problems on the coast. I am 
chairman of the drive and we will put it 
over.” 

Since he returned to the coast after an 
extended European vacation, Giannini has 
more or less been out of contact with in- 
dustry developments, confining most of his 
time to his own business, which is banking. 

He left for the coast Thursday after 
accomplishing the purpose for his eastern 
trek. 

UA Sells Hardy-Langdon 
Films Only as Finished 

New York — Although Hal E. Roach will 
produce six for UA for the 1938-39 sea- 
son, salesmen for the company are only 
selling four. The sales force has been ad- 
vised not to sell the two Hardy-Langdon 
feature length comedies until each one is 
completed. The initial attraction will be 
“This Time It’s Love.” 

“There Goes My Heart,” first Roach film 
for UA release, is dated for the Music 
Hall starting October 14. The producer is 
in town for the opening as is Frank 
Seltzer, studio publicity head, who is work- 
ing on the advertising and publicity cam- 
paign. 

Federal Ticket Impost 
Over Million Above 1937 

Washington — Federal admission tax 
collections during the fiscal year ending 
June 30 crossed the $20,000,000 line for a 
new post depression high and showed an 
increase of more than $1,000,000 as com- 
pared with the 1937 fiscal year. 


Worry Over State Legislation 
Stems to 44 Nearing Sessions 

(Continued from page 5) 

jecture, but the general consensus is that little in the way of direct film legislation 
will be taken up. 

It is pointed out the New York suit involves the questions of block booking 
and producer ownership of theatres, two of the major points of attack in previous 
Congresses. The Administration monopoly committee also is expected to concern 
itself with monopoly in the industry unless a satisfactory settlement is arrived at in 
the suit. 

The great majority of film bills introduced in the past have been concerned 
with trade policies and it is not expected that Congress will devote any great amount 
of time to anti-trust legislation until the monopoly committee makes some recom- 
mendations, which is not expected to occur for some time. 

In all probability, the most important legislation of the coming session, as it 
affects motion pictures, will be the new revenue measure, the scope of which has 
not yet been decided. This would affect the industry in the event any changes are 
made in corporate or individual income tax provisions. No change is expected to 
be made with respect to the admission tax, other than to retain it as a part of the 
tax structure. 



A. H. GIANNINI 

Giannini pointed 


12 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1933 


A RECORD-BREAKER EVERYWHERE! 


ALREADY PLATED 

Little Carnegie— NEW YORK— 8 WEEKS Mercury — BUFFALO — 3 WEEKS 

Europa — PHILADELPHIA— 6 WEEKS Palace — HARTFORD — 1 WEEK 

LOEW’S CIRCUIT 

NOW 19th WEEK — Fine Arts — BOSTON 
NOW 14th WEEK — Esquire — HOLLY WOOD 
NOW 4th WEEK— City— CLEVELAND 

Esquire— PORTLAND, ORE. — 5 WEEKS • Montla\e— SEATTLE— 4 WEEKS 

And Booked for Extra Playing Time: Cinema — DETROIT. Belasco 
— WASHINGTON. Little — NEWARK. Pabst — MILWAUKEE. 

Little — BALTIMORE. World Playhouse — CHICAGO. Little — 
ROCHESTER. Art Cinema — PITTSBURGH. Vogue — KANSAS 
CITY. Lincoln — NEW HAVEN. Grand International — LOS AN- 
GELES. Larkin — SAN FRANCISCO. Band Box — PHILADELPHIA. 

RKO CIRCUIT. LEO BRECHER CIRCUIT. 



Featuring PADEREWSKI 

The World's Greatest Pianist 
Supported £ 3 / CHARLES FARRELL and MARIE TEMPEST 
in a dramatization acclaimed by Press and Public. 

A LOTHAR MENDES PRODUCTION 

★ 

fflafMGti pictures Ccwtxanq 

w rite — Phone or Wire 

CHARLES KRANZ, General Sales Manager 
Telephone CHickering 4-7748 
Suite 1908 — Paramount Bldg., 1501 Broadway, New York 


LETTERS FROM OUR READERS 


QUERIES DRIVE'S FAIRNESS 

Birmingham, Ala. — I am enclosing a copy 
of a letter addressed to Harold B. Franklin 
in reply to his statement appearing in 
your issue of September 24. I would ap- 
preciate very much a thorough discussion 
of this matter and a publication of it so 
that other independents may know the 
true state of affairs in this locality. 

The letter to Franklin follows: 


to contend that the campaign was designed 
so that all exhibitors would benefit. 

About a year and a half ago I resigned 
as vice-president of National Allied be- 
cause I thought these gentlemen were en- 
tirely too radical, but I have finally real- 
ized that in this business that is the only 
way in which a small exhibitor has the 
slightest possible chance of getting any- 
where near a fair break. 


I have just read with a great deal of 
interest your statement in Boxoffice of 
September 24. 

There are one or two things that are 
definitely evident: Either you are sadly 
misinformed regarding the condition of 
subsequent run clearance, or you are de- 
liberately attempting to mislead the trade 
in connection with this matter. 

In the third paragraph of this item you 
are quoted as stating that many of the 
first run situations will not be able to play 
more than 12 pictures and that some of the 
subsequents can play 20 or 25 pictures. 
But, you did not clarify this statement by 
making it very plain that the first run 
who can only use 12 pictures will use 
them on every available day during the 
entire campaign, whereas the subsequent 
run house who is forced to change pro- 
grams from three to six times each week, 
with the same 12 pictures would con- 
sume only approximately 15 per cent of his 
running time. After all, what any ex- 
hibitor is interested in is the type of 
product he can secure for his playing time, 
not what he might be able to secure if he 
changed programs more often. 

For your information I am submitting 
below a complete calculation of the Greater 
Movie Campaign pictures that have played 
in Birmingham up to the present time 
that would clear before December 31, and 
from this you can very readily see how 
impossible it would be for us to participate 
in this campaign without some waiver of 
clearance. 

You are just like most all of the other 
individuals connected with the major pro- 
ducer, distributor, exhibitor tieup. You 
are always walling to shift the responsibil- 
ity to someone else. Of course, you are 
not kidding anyone with average intelli- 
gence, but are only kidding yourself. 

As an illustration, in Birmingham Mr. 
Wilby (Robert Wilby, Valatenga Theatre) 
requires a maximum of 120 days and a 
minimum of 105 days on all subjects ir- 
respective of whether they play “A,” “B,” 
or “C” houses. Therefore, any picture 
playing in Birmingham after September 
1, which is the very first day of the cam- 
paign, could not be run in any of our 
houses -until after January 8 on the 120- 
day clearance basis, or December 22 on 
the 105-day clearance. With this infor- 
mation, it is very hard to understand how 
you or any other individual can continue 


It would have been a very simple matter 
for you to have incorporated as a part 
of this scheme a provision requiring the 
first-run exhibitor to waive only during 
this campaign a sufficient amount of his 
clearance enabling the small subsequent 
run independent to participate. 


The following schedule will show that 
we can only play as a maximum six pic- 
tures if the distributor can fill all dates 
as requested. You can see from this that 
we would only get the benefit of the pe- 
riod from around December 15 to the 31st, 
which is at a period when no one partic- 
ularly is thinking of attending but is going 
about his Christmas shopping in the reg- 
ular manner: 


Picture Theatre 

Little Miss Broadway Alabama 
Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse Empire 
The Crowd Roars Alabama 
Letter of Introduction Alabama 
Racket Busters Empire 

Alex. Ragtime Band Alabama 


First-Run 
Playtlate 
July 29 
Sept. 8 
Aug. 12 
Aug. 26 
Aug. 25 
Aug. 19 


In another part of your statement you 
say that, when it is considered that a small 
theatre requires approximately 10 pictures 
to meet his pledge requirements, it can be 
readily seen that such exhibitor must re- 
ceive substantial benefits. 

Let us take the “A” house and compare 
it with one of our houses located in this 
city. The Alabama Theatre has approxi- 
mately 2,600 seats, therefore costing them 
$260 for full participation. Our North 
Birmingham Theatre has 1,200 seats, and 
it would cost us $120 for full participa- 
tion. The Alabama Theatre is running 
each and every week a Greater Movie 
Campaign picture and has been doing so 
since September 1, which will make ap- 
proximately 17 pictures this house will get 
the benefit of. Don’t forget this repre- 
sents exactly 100% of the running time 
of this theatre. The North Birmingham 
Theatre could only get the benefit of six 
pictures, which must all be played between 
December 15 and December 31. In other 
words, for $120 we would get the benefit 
of a few pictures for a 15-day period and 
take in during this period approximately 
$800, while the Alabama for $260 would 
get 100% time and would take in during 
this period based on their weekly aver- 
age of approximately $8,000, $136,000. 
Therefore, compare the figures based on 




The Editors welcome letters from readers on picture reports or other 
trade topics. All letters must "be signed. Identity withheld on request. 


STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGE- 
MENT, CIRCULATION, ETC., REQUIRED BY 
THE ACTS OF CONGRESS OF AUGUST 
21, 1912, AND MARCH 3, 1933. 

Of BOXOFFICE, published weekly at Kansas 
City, Mo., for October 1, 1938. 

State of Missouri, 

County of Jackson, ss. 

Before me, a notary public in and for the State 
and county aforesaid, personally appeared Morris 
Schlozman, who having been duly sworn accord- 
ing to law, deposes and says that he is the 
Business Manager of the BOXOFFICE and that 
the following is, to the best of his knowledge and 
belief, a true statement of the ownership, man- 
agement (and if a daily paper, the circulation), 
etc., of the aforesaid publication for the date 
shown in the above caption, required by the Act 
of August 24, 1912, as amended by the Act of 
March 3, 1933, embroiled in section 537, Postal 
Laws of the Regulations, to-wit: 

1. That the names and addresses of the pub- 
lisher, editor-in-chief, editor, managing editor, and 
business managers are: Publisher: Ben Shlyen, 
Kansas City, Mo.; Editor-in-Chief, Maurice Kann, 
New York, N. Y. ; Editor, Wm. G. Formby, Kan- 
sas City, Mo.; Managing Editor, Jesse Shlyen, 
Kansas City, Mo.; Business Manager: Morris 
Schlozman, Kansas City, Mo. 

2. That the owner is: (If owned by a corpora- 
tion, its name and address must be stated and 
also immediately thereunder the names and ad- 
dresses of stockholders owning or holding one 
per cent or more of total amount of stock. If not 
owned by a corporation, the names and addresses 
of the individual owners must be given. If owned 
by a firm, company, or other unincorporated con- 
cern, its name and address, as well as those of 
each individual member, must be given). 

Ben Shlyen, Kansas City, Mo. 

C. Shlyen, Kansas City, Mo. 

3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, 
and other security holders owning or holding 1 per 
cent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, 
or other securities are: (If there are none, so 
state). There are none. 

4. That the two paragraphs next above, giving 
the names of the owners, stockholders, and se- 
curity holders, if any, contain not only the list of 
stockholders and security holders as they appear 
upon the books of the company but also, in cases 
where the stockholders or security holder appears 
upon the books of the company as trustee or in 
any other fiduciary relation, the name of the 
person or corporation for whom such trustee is 
acting, is given; also that the said two paragraphs 
contain statements embracing affiant’s full knowl- 
edge and belief as to the circumstances and con- 
ditions under which stockholders and security 
holders who do not appear upon the books of the 
company as trustees, hold stock and securities in 
a capacity other than that of a bona fide owner; 
and this affiant has no reason to believe that 
any other person, association, or corporation has 
any interest direct or indirect in the said stock, 
bonds, or other securities than as so stated by him. 

MORRIS SCHLOZMAN, Business Manager. 

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29th 
day of September, 1938. 

L. W. WILSON, Notary Public. 
(My commission expires August 9, 1940). 


Mr. Schaefer’s (Georve J. Schaefer, chair- 
man of the industry drive committee) cal- 
culation of the approximate increase that 
could be expected on the $800 we nor- 
mally would take in during the period we 
could participate if we received the full 
10%. We would benefit approximately $80 
while the Alabama would benefit approxi- 
mately $13,600. How can you attempt to 
offset the unfairness of this, also taking 
into consideration that no one desiring to 
participate in this campaign will wait until 
December 15 to see any of the pictures 
in our houses? 

Just as I wrote Mr. Benjamin yesterday, 
there is no doubt in my mind but that, 
if this campaign is repeated without some 
relief being given to the small independent 
competitive situations, that numerous law- 
suits and injunctions will be filed against 
it. 

The writer would personally appreciate 
a feasible reply to his letter that will to 
any extent substantiate not only the fair- 
ness of the campaign, but the possibility 
of our concern receiving the slightest bene- 
fit from the campaign. — N. H. WATERS, 
Waters Theatre Co. 


14 


BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1938 



This Award is given each 
month to the film receiving 
the highest number of votes 
by the members of the Na- 
tional Screen Council, whose 
selection is governed by out- 
standing merit and suitabil- 
ity of the film to whole-fam- 
ily entertainment. Members 
of the Council include over 
200 motion picture editors of 
leading newspapers through- 
out the country, motion pic- 
ture reviewing committee of 
the International Federation 
of Catholic Alumnae, and 
state motion picture chair- 
men of the General Fed- 
eration of Women’s Clubs. 



Metro's "Boys Town" Winner of 
September Blue Ribbon Award 


M-G-M's "Boys Town," a dramatization of the work of Father 
Flanagan, founder of Boys Town, Nebraska, is the selection of the 
National Screen Council as winner of the BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon 
Award for September. 

John W. Considine jr. is producer, Norman Taurog, director, 
while Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney play the leading roles. 

The story begins with the events responsible for the formation of 
Father Flanagan's establishment of a self-governing community 
for homeless boys. It brings in the social theme that boys actually 
are not criminals at heart, but that their environment makes them 
so, and that most of the criminally warped minds are results of 
early incarceration in a boys' reformatory. The town is completely 
run by the boys who have their own Mayor, their own newspaper, 
police court, et cetera. 

M-G-M also won the July Award for their production, "Love Finds 
Andy Hardy." 

"Alexander's Ragtime Band," a 20th-Fox production, won the 
August Award. 


Cast of Characters 


Father Flanagan.... Spencer Tracy 
Whitey March...... Mickey Rooney 

Dave Morris Henry Hull 

Dan Farrow Leslie f enton 

Tony Ponessa Gene Reynolds 

Joe Marsh ..Edward Norris 

Judge Addison Richards 

Bishop Minor Watson 

John Hargraves Jonathan Hale 


Pee Wee Bobs Watson 

Skinny Martin Spellman 

Tommy Anderson 

Mickey Rentschler 

Freddie Fuller Frankie Thomas 

Paul Ferguson Jimmy Butler 

Mo Kahn Sidney Miller 

Burton Robert Emmett Keane 

Sheriff Victor Killian 


Production Staif 


Executive Producer 

Louis B. Mayer 

Producer.... John W. Considine Jr. 

Director Norman Taurog 

Screenplay John Meehan 

and Dore Schary 

Original Story Dore Schary 

and Eleanore Griffin 

Musical Score Edward Ward 

Musical Arrangements 

Leo Arnaud 


Recording Director 

Douglas Shearer 

Art Director Cedric Gibbons 

Associates ..Urie McCleary 

and Edwin B. Willis 

Photography 

Sidney Wagner, ASC 

Montage Effects 

Slavko Vorkapich 

Film Editor Elmo Veron 



"BOYS TOWN'' CONTINUES ITS PLACE IN FRONT 


BOSTON 


Fenway — Valley of the Giants (Para); Time 

Out for Murder (20th-Fox) 120 

Memorial — My Lucky Star (20th-Fox), 2nd 

wk. ; Personal Secretary (Univ) 70 

Metropolitan — Four Daughters (FN); Campus 

Confessions (Para) 160 

Orpheum — I Am the Law (Col); The Gladiator 

(Col) 100 

Paramount — Same as Fenway 115 

State — Same as Orpheum 100 


CHARLOTTE 


Broadway — Secrets of an Actress (WB) 100 

Imperial — Valley of the Giants (WB), 1st half. 100 
Imperial — Rich Man, Poor Girl (M-G-M), 

2nd half 100 

State — Battle of Broadway (20th-Fox), 

1st half 85 

State— Rollin' Plains (GN), 2nd half 95 


CHICAGO 


Apollo — I Am the Law (Col), 2nd loop wk 85 

Chicago — Sing You Sinners (Para), plus 

stage show 95 

Garrick — Bold That Co-ed (20th-Fox), 2nd 

loop wk 90 

Palace — Room Service (RKO), stage show, 

2nd wk 100 

Roosevelt — Three Loves Has Nancy (M-G-M).. 90 
State-Lake — Men Are Such Fools (WB), plus 

stage show 75 

United Artists — Algiers (DA), held 2nd wk 110 


CINCINNATI 


Albee — Sing You Sinners (Para), held over... 120 
Capitol — Four Daughters (FN), held 2nd wk...H0 
Grand — Marie Antoinette (M-G-M), 3rd wk...,100 

Keith’s — Road to Reno (Univ) 90 

Lyric — Three Loves Has Nancy (M-G-M), 

2nd wk 110 

Palace — Too Hot to Handle (M-G-M), held 

over 120 

Shubert — Alexander's Ragtime Band (20th- 

Fox), 6th wk 110 


CLEVELAND 


Allen — Four Daughters (FN), 2nd wk 150 

Hippodrome — Room Service (RKO) 85 

Palace — The Garden of the Moon (FN). stage: 
Chester Morris, Bert Wheeler & vaudeville.. 95 

State — Too Hot to Handle (M-G-M) 115 

Stillman — Boys Town (M-G-M), 2nd wk 150 


DALLAS 


Capitol — Time Out for Murder (20th-Fox), 

1st half 90 

Capitol — Affairs of Annabel (RKO), 2nd half.. 80 

Majestic — Racket Busters (WB) 90 

Melba — Block-Heads (M-G-M) 85 

Palace — Marie Antoinette (M-G-M) 125 

Tower — Sing You Sinners (Para), 2nd wk 100 


DETROIT 


Adams — Reformatory (Col); Keep Smiling 

(20th-Fox) g0 

Cinema— Moonlight Sonata (Malmar), 2nd wk. . 80 

Fox — Straight, Place and Show (20th-Fox), 

plus stage show 75 

Michigan — The Texans (Para); Campus Con- 
fessions (Para) 60 

Palms-State — Blockheads (M-G-M); Ambu- 
lance Chaser (M-G-M) 80 

United Artists — Boys Town (M-G-M), 2nd wk... 85 


INDIANAPOLIS 


Alamo — Riders of the Black Hills (Rep) 80 

Apollo — Hold That Coed (20th-Fox) 80 

Circle — Four Daughters (FN) 80 

Loew's — Too Hot to Handle (M-G-M) 150 

Lyric — Meet the Girls (20th-Fox), plus 

stage show 90 


KANSAS CITY 


Esquire — My Lucky Star (20th-Fox) good 

Midland — Too Hot to Handle (M-G-M); The 

Lady Objects (Col) 160 

Newman — Sing You Sinners (Para) 130 

Orpheum — Four Daughters (FN) good 

Tower. — Hold That Co-ed (20th-Fox), plus 

stage show 90 


Uptown — Dracula (Univ); Frankenstein (Univ). 125 


(AVERAGE IS 100%) 


Top Hits of the Week 


Boys Town (dual) — New Haven. .205 

Boys Town — Pittsburgh 200 

You Can’t Take It With You — 

Omaha 185 

Four Daughters (dual) — Boston. .160 
Too Hot to Handle (dual) — 

Kansas City 160 

Boys Town — Cleveland and 

Philadelphia (both 2nd wk. ) 150 

Drums — Portland, Ore 150 

Four Daughters — Cleveland, (2nd 

wk.) ; Portland, Ore. (dual) 150 

Marie Antoinette — Minneapolis. . 150 
Room Service — New York City.. ..150 
Sing You Sinners (stage show) — 

Los Angeles 150 

Too Hot to Handle — Indian- 
apolis 150 


EXTENDED RUNS 

Algiers, 11th wk., Los Angeles. 

Alexander’s Ragtime Band, 6th wk., Cin- 
cinnati; 4th wk., Washington. 

Boys Town, 4th wk., Portland, Ore.; 3rd 
wk., New York City; 3rd wk.. Salt Lake 
City. 

Marie Antoinette, 5th wk. of roadshow, 
New York City; 3rd wk., Cincinnati. 

Spawn of the North, 3rd wk., New York 
City. 


LOS ANGELES 


Chinese — Hold That Co-ed (20th-Fox); Mys- 
terious Mr. Moto (20th-Fox) 125 

Downtown — Valley of the Giants (WB) ; 

Blockheads (M-G-M) 100 

Four Star — Algiers (UA), 11th wk 60 

Hillstreet — Affairs of Annabel (RKO); Youth 

Takes a Fling- (Univ) 110 

Hollywood — Same as Downtown 100 

Pantages — Same as Hillstreet 120 

Paramount — Sing You Sinners (Para), plus 

stage show 150 

State — Same as Chinese 110 


MILWAUKEE 


Palace — Spawn of the North (Para); 

Give Me a Sailor (Para), 2nd wk 100 

Riverside — Personal Secretary (Univ) ; 

Schnickelfritz Band 120 

Strand — Love Finds Andy Hardy (M-G-M); 

Gateway (20th-Fox) 100 

Warner — Four Daughters (FN); The Affairs 

of Annabel (RKO) 135 

Wisconsin — Boys Town (M-G-M); Speed to 

Burn (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 115 


MINNEAPOLIS 

Aster — The Gladiator (Col); Sky Giant (RKO). 100 
Century — Mother Carey’s Chickens (RKO).... 70 


Orpheum — Algiers (UA) 100 

State — Marie Antoinette (M-G-M) 150 

World — Romance of Limberlost (Mono) 70 


NEW HAVEN 


College — Boys Town (M-G-M); Safety in 

Numbers (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 205 

Loew-Poli — Marie Antoinette (M-G-M), moved 

to College for 2nd wk. 125 

Paramount — Sing You Sinners (Para); Booloo 

(Para), 2nd wk. (6 days) 80 

Roger Sherman — Valley of the Giants (WB) ; 

Secrets of an Actress (FN) ..110 


NEW ORLEANS 

Center — Prison Break (Univ) 70 

Globe — Love Finds Andy Hardy (M-G-M).... 80 
Liberty — Club de Femmes (S-E-L-F) 75 


Orpheum — Give Me a Sailor (Para) 50 

Saenger — Cowboy From Brooklyn (WB) 95 

State — Too Hot to Handle (M-G-M) 135 

Tudor — I’ll Give a Million (20th-Fox) 100 


NEW YORK CITY 


Astor — Marie Antoinette (M-G-M), 5th wk. of 

roadshow 90 

Capitol — Boys Town (M-G-M), 3rd wk 85 

Criterion — Campus Confessions (Para) 75 

Globe — Wanted by the Police (Mono) 100 

Paramount — Spawn of the North (Para), 3rd 

wk., plus stage show 100 

Radio City Music Hall — Carefree (RKO), plus 

stage show 100 

Rivoli — Room Service (RKO) 150 

Roxy — Hold That Co-ed (20th-Fox), plus 

stage show 100 

Strand — Garden of the Moon (FN), plus 

stage show 125 


OKLAHOMA CITY 


Criterion — Hold That Co-ed (20th-Fox) 80 

Liberty — Men Are Such Fools (WB); Little 

Tough Guy (Univ) 95 

Midwest — Carefree (RKO), moved to Tower.... 130 
State — Man From Music Mountain (Rep); 

I Cover the Waterfront (UA) 110 

Tower — Boys Town (M-G-M), 2nd wk 120 


OMAHA 


Brandeis — You Can’t Take It With You (Col).. 185 
Omaha — Marie Antoinette (M-G-M), 9 days... 100 
Orpheum — Boy Meets Girl (WB); Gateway 

(20th-Fox) 120 


PHILADELPHIA 

Aldine — Boys Town (M-G-M), 2nd wk 150 

Boyd — Marie Antoinette (M-G-M) 130 

Earle — Secrets of an Actress (FN), plus stage 
show featuring Buddy Rogers and Mary 

Brian 110 

Fox — Straight, Place and Show (20th-Fox); 

American Ice Carnival on stage 100 

Karlton — Four Daughters (FN), 2nd run 100 

Keith’s — My Lucky Star (20th-Fox), 3rd run.. 90 

Stanley — Sing You Sinners (Para) 95 

Stanton — 10th Ave. Kid (Rep) 90 


PITTSBURGH 

Alvin — Straight, Place and Show (20th-Fox) . . . 125 
Barry — A Dangerous Adventure (Rep); 

Panamint’s Bad Man (20th-Fox) 100 

Fulton — My Lucky Star (20th-Fox), 2nd wk.,.100 

Penn — Too Hot to Handle (M-G-M) 110 

Stanley — Garden of the Moon (FN); Kay 

Kyser orchestra on stage 190 

Warner — Boys Town (M-G-M), 2nd d. t. wk...200 


PORTLAND, ME. 

State — Four’s a Crowd (FN); Army Girl (Rep) 125 

PORTLAND, ORE. 

Broadway — Drums (UA) ; The Road to Reno 


(Univ) 150 

Mayfair — Boys Town (M-G-M); Freshman 

Year (Univ), 4th wk 125 

Orpheum — Valley of the Giants (WB) ; Safety 

in Numbers (20th-Fox) 100 

Paramount — Hold That Co-ed (20th-Fox), 

plus stage show 110 

United Artists — Four Daughters (FN); The 

Missing Guest (Univ) 160 


SALT LAKE CITY 


Capitol — Billy the Kid Returns (Rep); 

Gateway (20th-Fox) 100 

Centre — Straight, Place and Show (20th-Fox).. 95 

Mario — The Buccaneer (Para) 105 

Paramount — Too Hot to Handle (M-G-M), 

2nd wk 100 

Studio — Boys Town (M-G-M), 3rd wk 120 

Utah — I Am the Law (Col) 115 

Victory — Footloose Heiress (WB); The Last 

Stand (Univ) 105 


WASHINGTON 


Capitol — My Lucky Star (20th-Fox), plus 

stage show 85 

Columbia- — Alexander’s Ragtime Band (20111- 

Fox), 4th wk 75 

Earle — Four Daughters (FN), plus stage show. 125 

Keith's — Room Service (RKO) 125 

Metropolitan — Secrets of An Actress (FN).... 90 

Palace — Marie Antoinette (M-G-M), 2nd wk. ..125 


16 


BOXOFFICE 


October 8, 1938 


GEORGE J. SCHAEFER QUITS UNITED ARTISTS; 
MAY SUCCEED LEO SPITZ AS RKO PRESIDENT 

A Drive Extension Advance Withdrawal Is Immediate 

rr r f r% r f Despite Fact Pact 

In Offer of Pledge Refund Runs to March 


New York — Seen as another step in ad- 
vancing the decision of the industry drive’s 
executive committee to extend the Movie 
Quiz contest beyond December 31 is the 
willingness of the committee to refund 
pledges to theatres unable to play the re- 
quired minimum of 30 pictures. 

In a letter to regional committee chair- 
men the executive committee states that 
unless the minimum of 30 pictures is made 
available to subsequent runs during the 
life of the contest, the committee will re- 
fund pledge money. In many instances 
only quarterly payments have been made. 

It is understood a meeting will be called 
next week to tackle the problem of re- 
peated squawks by subsequents that they 
cannot participate in the contest. So far, 
in informal discussions, no theory has been 
advanced other than extension of the final 
contest date. While major circuit heads 
are said to be agreeable to this all mem- 
bers of the executive committee are not in 
complete accord. Division of opinion em- 
braces the possible loss of prestige to the 
contest if the public construes an exten- 
sion date as an attempt to “fiddle around” 
with the contest. 

RKO and Loew’s, both operating a pre- 
ponderance of first-run houses, figure to 
play the last quiz picture by early Decem- 
ber. In those cities where each circuit 
has a number of subsequent units, such 
as New York, the minimum of 30 contest 
pictures will easily make the deadline. 
However, Paramount, Warner and Na- 
tional Theatres are largely subsequent 

Suit Filed Against 
Loew Executives 

Wilmington, Del. — A number of Loew’s, 
Inc., executives and Norma Shearer are 
defendants in a suit filed here by three 
Loew stockholders. The suit alleges the 
defendants received “excessive” compen- 
sation to the detriment of the stockholders. 

The complainants, Edgar P. Stiner, 
Hannah W. Goldstein and Louis Sussman, 
asked that the compensation, including 
fixed and percentage payments and stock 
options be reduced. 

Those named in the action include Louis 
B. Mayer, Nicholas M. Schenck, Arthur 
M. Loew, David Bernstein, Edwin J. Loeb, 
J. Robert Rubin, William A. Parker, 
David Warfield, Sam Katz, Edgar J. Man- 
nix, Mervyn LeRoy and Hunt Stromberg. 

Miss Shearer, Edwin J. Loeb and the 


runs and it is not known whether they 
would be willing to go for an extended 
deadline that might be competitive to in- 
dependent houses. 

The resignation of George J. Schaefer 
from United Artists is seen as having no 
bearing on his chairmanship of the indus- 
try drive. 

Meanwhile, elaborate plans have been 
made to keep interest alive for October. 
Next week trailer No. 7 will be made avail- 
able. This features Lew Lehr with a 
football background. The following week 
many important Hollywood stars will 
stage a huge parade which will be photo- 
graphed and broadcast throughout the 
country via the news weeklies. On Octo- 
ber 13 there will be a luncheon at the 
Hotel Astor in New York for the leading 
business members of the West Side Ass’n., 
which includes top business executives, 
and their messages will be broadcast and 
recorded through the same channels. 

The committee for the exhibitor prizes 
totaling $2,100 has agreed the contest will 
be open alike to individual exhibitors and 
groups of exhibitors or to promotional 
committees established in various cities. 
Judges will take into consideration limited 
facilities of an individual manager as 
compared with a group. 

A series of 14 cartoons, by prominent 
artists, has been prepared for newspapers. 
The cartoons employ a humorous ap- 
proach, but nevertheless play up vital 
phases of the campaign, particularly the 
contest. 


Bank of America, National Trust & Sav- 
ings Ass’n are listed as executors and 
trustees of the Irving Thalberg estate. 
The bill charges, after Thalberg’s death, 
Loew erred in permitting the executors to 
exercise stock options granted to Thalberg. 

Several contracts, according to the three 
stockholders, “defraud the corporation 
and the stockholders and illegally dissipate 
the profits.” The contracts, say the com- 
plainants, were with Mayer as general 
manager of studio and production, Rubin 
as New York representative, Thalberg as 
supervisor of production, entered into in 
1924; the same three in the same capacity 
at increased salaries in 1932 and others in 
various supervisory capacities which the 
complainants claim “hurts” the returns 
of the stockholders. 


Joseph Breen Recovering 
Hollywood — Joseph I. Breen, production 
code administrator, is recovering from the 
effects of a severe cold which threatened 
pneumonia and a lung infection. 



GEORGE J. SCHAEFER 

New York — George J. Schaefer on Sat- 
urday resigned as vice-president and gen- 
eral manager of distribution in the Unit- 
ed States and Canada for United Artists. 

Beyond brief mention of future plans 
to be announced later, the retiring exe- 
cutive maintained silence. The with- 
drawal, however, is effective immediately, 
despite the fact that his current contract 
runs until March, with a settlement in- 
dicated. 

The general expectancy is that Schaefer 
will become president of RKO succeeding 
Leo Spitz, who for months has been de- 
sirous of returning to his extended Chi- 
cago law practice and who had agreed to 
remain at the RKO helm until the com- 
pany’s emergence from court. Such emerg- 
ence now is anticipated by the end of the 
year unless an unforeseen upset occurs. 
It is understood that Schaefer is viewed 
as the new head by the selection of Rocke- 
feller interests which may emerge as the 
dominant factor in the revamped com- 
pany. David Sarnoff also is reliably re- 
ported identified with the Schaefer can- 
didacy. It is very probable no formal word 
will develop until RKO finally clears the 
courts. 

The resignation comes as no surprise. 
It traces to a rearrangement of home of- 
fice authority effected when Maurice Sil- 
verstone transferred from London to New 
York in supreme charge of UA activities, 
not only in this country, but around the 
world. Many of these administrative duties 
prior to the change had been cleared over 
Schaefer’s desk. As Silverstone took furth- 
er hold, however, it obviously followed 
Schaefer’s sphere of influence in the com- 
pany’s management began to narrow. 


BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1938 E 


17 


Czech Emergency 
Gives Film Control 

Prague — Included in Czechoslovakia’s 
war-time measures is the decree, effective 
September 29, whereby all production and 
exhibition are absorbed by the Supreme 
Economic Council, headed by J. Syrovy. 
Distribution is not affected. 

Although American film contracts con- 
tinue to be recognized under the recent 
trade treaty bookings have fallen off con- 
siderably due to the closing of about one 
half of the country’s theatres, the bulk of 
which lie in the Sudeten area. This has 
been due to the calling of employes to 
military duty. 

Variety Show by Fields 
Ups Ether Total to 27 

New York — With W. C. Fields heading 
his own variety broadcast over CBS’s na- 
tionwide network beginning October 15, 
the total of Hollywood-type air shows now 
totals 27. Fields’ show runs for 45 min- 
utes on Saturday nights, starting at 10 
p. m. E.S.T. 

He and Virginia Verrill, who has been 
added to Jack Haley’s program, bring to 
33 the film names so far penciled in for 
big-time Hollywood broadcasts. 

Ben Goetz in Hollywood 
For Third British Picture 

Hollywood — Ben Goetz, British M-G-M 
production head, arrived from New York 
by plane Saturday to complete final ar- 
rangements on “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” 
third picture to be made by him in Eng- 
land. He will return to New York Tues- 
day to sail on the Normandie the follow- 
ing day. 

King Vidor, who directed “The Citadel” 
for M-G-M, is in the south of France with 
his family and returns to New York, Oc- 
tober 22. 


Three Houses Open 

New York — Three local theatres re- 
opened Friday. Charles Friedman relight- 
ed the Metro. Fort Lee, N. J.; Max Jelin, 
the Opera House, New Brunswick; M 
Voight, the Riviera, Barryville, N. Y. 


Bucquet? That Made 
It Different 

Hollywood — There was some question 
as to whether Lionel Barrymore would 
play the role of Lew Ayres' garrulous 
medical sponsor in “Young Dr. Kil- 
dare." Barrymore first wanted to know 
who was to direct the film. He found 
out, then insisted upon the role. 

The director is Harry Bucquet, who 
was Barrymore's assistant director in 
"Madame X,'' the first picture the latter 
directed in 1929. “Kildare" is Bucquet's 
first feature. Barrymore wants to help. 


When the Titles , 
They Overlap 

New York — When the titles come as 
close as do “There Goes My Heart'' 
and “The Young in Heart," the result 
is a publicity man's nightmare. 

Currently, Lynn Famol and his slaff 
at UA appreciate the point. There is 
the story told, for instance, of a re- 
porter who interviewed Hal Roach for 
two hours and turned his interview 
over to “The Young in Heart." Which 
is not the picture Roach produced. 

Seeking a solution, the UA press 
department is thinking of telescoping 
the Roach and the Selznick attractions 
as: 

“There Goes the Young in Heart." 


Michalove, Barry Await 
Skouras Australia Trip 

Sydney, Australia— Spyros Skouras, to 
be accompanied by William T. Powers or 
Edward Zabel, is due from New York late 
in January or early in February for a 
general checkup of 20th Century-Fox’s in- 
terest in Hoyts, which operates about 150 
theatres in the Antipodes. 

Dan Michalove and Irving Barry, here 
on a preliminary survey for Sidney R. Kent, 
president, are expected to remain until 
Skouras arrives. They planned originally 
to return to New York about the first of 
the year. 

There is some talk of Kent coming over, 
but it is understood he will not make the 
trip, his health not permitting so long a 
journey. 

Takes Rubin Deposition 
In Loew Minority Suit 

New York — Emil K. Ellis, attorney for 
a number of Loew minority stockholders 
suing the company for dissolution of the 
12 profit-sharing contracts approved last 
December, on Tuesday and Thursday took 
the deposition of J. Robert Rubin, general 
counsel for M-G-M. 

This is the second taken in the east, the 
first being that of Arthur Loew prior to 
his leaving for South America. Former 
Judge Joseph Proskauer and Alvin J. Van 
Bergh, Leopold Friedman and Irving 
Greenfield sat in when testimony was tak- 
en behind closed doors. 


Dividend Action Wednesday 

New York — Loew’s will declare a $1.62 >4 
dividend on the preferred stock, payable 
November 15, next week. Directors were 
scheduled to meet Wednesday. This being 
Yom Kippur, the session was put over 
until next week. 

A1 Lichtman plans to leave for the coast 
the end of the week. 


Set First Two 

New York — Equity Pictures’ first two 
for Malcolm Browne Pictures Corp. are 
“Prison Train” and “The Masked Phan- 
tom” while the third, “The Great Dia- 
mond Scandal” is in preparation by B. F. 
Zeidman. 


Universal Changes 
In Foreign Field 

New York — Universal has made several 
changes in the foreign field. LeRoy Brauer, 
until recently head in China, has added 
Japan to his territory and now is making 
headquarters at Tokyo. B. W. Palmertz. 
Hong Kong manager, now is in charge of 
the Shanghai office, and Harold Dudoff 
is at Hong Kong. A1 E. Daff, new super- 
visor for the Far East, is on a tour of the 
Straits Settlements, China, the Philip- 
pines, the Dutch East Indies and India. 

R. Groves, for many years manager in 
Brisbane, has been switched to Perth, 
Australia. He recently married the former 
M. Sweeney, who was in the accounting 
department of the Brisbane office. 


Ampa Soliciting Ideas 
By Mailed Questionnaire 

New York — Membership of Ampa is 
being asked, by means of a mailed ques- 
tionnaire, whether it desires a more con- 
structive and instructive type of meeting 
through the new season or a continuation 
of last year’s formula of entertainment- 
type luncheons. 

Members are also being invited to choose 
between the Hotel Astor, Dempsey’s and 
the Hotel Piccadilly for meetings. The 
Astor proposition offers a permanent 
headquarters in the form of a club room, 
including other features, which would be 
open to members only. 

A firmer hand is being displayed in 
the administration of the organization. 
As a result of non-payment of dues 92 
members have been dropped, leaving the 
active roster at 122. 


To Special Sessions 

New York — Magistrate Judge Aurelio 
has held for special sessions the complaint 
by the Society for the protection against 
crime versus the Jewel, a Cinema circuit 
in Harlem. Harry G. Kosch argued the 
case Tuesday when the judge decided to 
throw it into special sessions. Date for 
hearing is not set. 


100% Purity Rules 
NBC's Air 

Hollywood — The pine-scented air of 
the High Sierras pales when compared 
to the ozone which artists and visitors 
breathe in the new NBC studios here. 
NBC's chief engineer says even pure 
mountain air carries dust and other 
foreign particles injurious to the lungs. 

But not in the studios. An ultra- 
modern filtering plant removes most of 
the foreign matter and brings it in "al- 
most 100 per cent pure." Hot air can't 
be filtered. 


18 


BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1938 


DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE'S UNBENDING STAND 
ON ANTI-TRUST OPENS SELF-REGULATION PATH 


Distributors Invite Exhibitor 
Units to Parley on 
Trade Practices 

New York — With Special Assistant At- 
torney General Thurman Arnold reputed- 
ly reserving all rights as to the govern- 
ment’s course in the anti-trust suit, the 
organized industry is taking the leap to- 
ward self regulation. Bids have been 
sent to Allied, the MPTOA and eight ex- 
hibitor organizations not affiliated with 
either group. William P. Rodgers, repre- 
senting the trade practice committee, ex- 
tended the invitations. 

Eight Regional Invitations 

In addition to the national associa- 
tions, the following have been asked to sit 
down with the distributors’ committee; 
The ITOA of Southern California, the 
Theatre Owners and Managers of the 
Rocky Mountain Region, Allied of Iowa, 
ITOA of New York, Allied of Oregon, 
MPTO of West Virginia, West Virginia 
Managers Ass’n., and MPTO of Kentucky. 

Abram P. Myers, general counsel for 
Allied, conferred with Rodgers, Thursday, 
before the latter left for New Orleans and 
points south on a business trip. Both 
went over certain phases of the trade 
practice program to be suggested and 
each made known their ideas on a num- 
ber of subjects. Allied directors will meet 
in New York, October 17, to appoint a 
committee of three to five to sit down 
with the distributor group two days later 
and go over the trade practice program. 
Myers will not be on it, but will act as 
advisory counsel. 

MPTOA board members invited by Ed 
Kuykendall, president, to attend a parley 
in New York October 17 prior to the meet- 
ing of the distributors committee are 
Samuel Pinanski, Boston; L. C. Griffith, 
Oklahoma City; H. V. Harvey, San Fran- 
cisco; O. C. Lam, Rome, Ga.; Jack Miller, 
Chicago; Lewen Pizor, Philadelphia; 
Charles Williams, Omaha; M. C. Moore, 
Jacksonville; Fred Wehrenberg, St. Louis; 
Arthur Lockwood, Middletown, Conn.; 
Edward G. Levy, New Haven. 

S. R. Kent Reconsiders 

The invitation to exhibitor groups fol- 
lows the recent meeting at Georgetown of 
major company attorneys with Arnold and 
his assistant, Paul Williams. At the meet- 
ing, Arnold is said to have advised the 
film representatives that whatever they 
did in the way of reforming operations 
within the industry would have no bear- 
ing on the outcome or disposition of the 
suit. 

When Sidney R. Kent, president of 20th- 
Fox, returned from the coast earlier in the 
week, he seemed upset at Arnold’s atti- 
tude. At the time he said “as far as I’m 


Loew Shares 
In Criterion 

New York — Loew’s on Thursday 
acquired a half interest in the Criter- 
ion from B. S. Moss. With it went 
management on a 20-year lease with 
an option for an additional 21 and, as 
quickly as possible, the Loew name 
will be added to the theatre sign. 

M-G-M releases which do not make 
the Capitol and which have been run- 
ning first run principally at the Rialto 
will provide the backbone of the house 
policy under the new deal. This gives 
the Loew circuit three theatres on 
Broadway. The other two, of course, 
are the Capitol and Loew’s State. 


concerned the trade practice meetings are 
up in the air and will stay that way.” 
However, he added he would confer with 
his lawyers before definitely making an 
official statement. Three days later, the 
formal invitations were sent out with 
Kent’s approval. 

What Arnold’s attitude will be on de- 
velopments at the trade practice confer- 
ences and decisions within the industry to 
bring about reforms will largely depend on 
the willingness of the major company at- 
torneys to cooperate to a greater extent 
with the government in the future. 

The telegrams sent out by Rodgers to 
exhibitor organizations read: 

“Sidney R. Kent, chairman, through the 
committee on trade practices, extends to 
your organization a cordial invitation to 
confer with our committee here for the 
purpose of attempting to create a method 
whereby trade differences and disputes 
can be adjudicated from within the con- 
fines of our industry and for the further 
purpose of endeavoring to establish a 
better and more thorough understanding 
between buyer and seller through the es- 
tablishment of recognized trade practices. 

To Meet After October 19 

“We need and require your support and 
will gladly confer with such committee as 
you may appoint on any day that you se- 
lect commencing October 19 on which date 
our conferences will commence with the 
committees representing both MPTOA and 
Allied. We urge your attendance and will 
appreciate your early acknowledgement, 
informing us the names of the committee 
authorized to represent you at these con- 
ferences.” 

The message went to Albert A. Galston, 
ITOA of Southern California; S. J. Hy- 
man, West Virginia Managers’ Ass’n; 
Fred J. Dolle, MPTO of Kentucky; A. P. 
Archer, Theatre Owners and Managers of 
the Rocky Mountain Region, Inc.; Leo F. 


Scope of Discussions Is 
Planned to Be 
Extensive 


Wolcott, Allied Theatre Owners of Iowa; 
Harry Brandt, ITOA of New York; Guy 
E. Matthews, Allied Theatres of Oregon, 
and William F. Crockett, MPTO of 
Virginia. 

Allied’s willingness to participate is de- 
tailed by Myers and is a direct result of a 
“comprehensive interview” the Allied 
counsel and President Nathan Yamins had 
with Rogers. 

“We were assured,” Myers declared, “by 
Mr. Rodgers that the distributors’ com- 
mittee stands authorized and prepared to 
treat with a committee of Allied in respect 
of the numerous proposals which Allied 
has advanced from time to time, including 
all of those summarized in the address 
which I made before the ITO of Ohio last 
year. 

“Indeed, we were assured that the scope 
of the discussions would be as broad as 
the problems involved in the sale and dis- 
tribution of film and would not be limited 
to the program of any particular exhibi- 
tion group.” 

Myers made the point that Allied’s ac- 
ceptance does not necessarily grow “out of 
the activities of any particular group as 
was initiated as ballyhoo for a particular 
national convention,” undoubtedly refer- 
ring to the MPTOA convention m Okla- 
homa City, starting October 30. 

One Qualification 

If, after Allied’s board meets here Octo- 
ber 17 and approves Rodgers’ proposal, 
“a committee will be named to carry on 
the negotiations,” these to be separate and 
apart from any conferences from “those 
with any other group,” Myers declared. 

Indicative of Myers’ long-known stand 
for government participation, if not bene- 
diction, concerning concessions on the part 
of distributors, is this view. 

“Allied has always been willing to ex- 
plore any conciliation movements looking 
to the improvement of industry conditions 
and to join in the same if there is a pos- 
sibility that they may be productive of 
good. The only condition to this is that, 
in the nature of the case, we can not now 
agree to any proposals that would not be 
acceptable to the department of justice.” 


Extend Warner Plan 

New York — Refinancing of $29,400,000 
in Warner debentures for which a deposit 
deadline of October 1 had originally been 
made, has been extended to Dcember 1. 
Already turned in is $17,457,000. 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


19 


Grade Allen Has a Name for It 


“Surrealistic” is the kind of art this is, according to Grade 
Allen, who painted it and ought to know her own handiwork. 


Another view from another angle of the same painting. It’s 
very flexible and how you look at it is strictly your business. 




Denies Paramount 
Buying Group Deal 

New York — Contending the company 
wiil not sell its product through agents, 
or any agency, J. J. Unger, eastern and 
southern division manager for Paramount, 
denies that a deal has been made with 
Milton A. Mooney, head of Co-Operative 
Theatres of Ohio. 

According to reports emanating from 
Cleveland, the booking circuit, which has 
approximately 30 theatres and has been 
functioning since September 1, claims to 
have signed Paramount. 

Unger pointed out he will neither permit 
Co-Operative of Ohio nor Associated The- 
atres of New Jersey to buy Paramount’s 
product and that individual exhibitors will 
have to negotiate. The sales executive’s 
contention is the distributor will deal with 
men with direct interest in theatres and 
not through outside parties. 

On the matter of forcing shorts, Unger 
states Paramount is not compelling ex- 
hibitors to buy them, but to purchase as 
many as required and, of course, give 
Paramount as much representation in this 
division as any other distributor. 

There will be two features shy on the 
1937-38 program. Titles are not yet known. 
Unger is on a three-week tour of western 
and southern cities. His first stop was 
Oklahoma City, from which point he went 
to Dallas and San Antonio. On the way 
back, he will visit New Orleans, Memphis. 
Jacksonville and Atlanta. Charles Reagan, 
western division manager, has been on a 
circuit of his exchanges. 


No "Waltz" Roadshow 

New York — M-G-M will not roadshow 
“The Great Waltz.” This film, as well as 
“The Citadel,” second British-made pic- 
ture, will be given special ad treatment. 


No Warner-Mooney Deal ; 
Columbia May Hit Snag 

New York — No deal has been worked 
out by Milton A. Mooney, head of Co- 
Operative Theatres of Ohio, and Warner 
for product, Roy H. Haines, eastern and 
Canadian division manager, states. 

While admitting Mooney had conferred 
with him several months ago on a deal, 
Haines says, “I have not seen, nor ap- 
proved, any deal with Co-Operative.” 

While reports were also current Mooney 
had begun a similar deal with Columbia, 
this will probably hit a snag. Rube Jack- 
ter, Columbia’s assistant sales manager, 
declared that “all deals in the past have 
been made with individual theatre owners,” 
not in group form and that Sam Galanty, 
district manager, is pursuing a similar 
course in present negotiations. 


Kane Decorated 

London — The French Legion of Honor 
has been conferred upon Robert T. Kane, 
executive producer in charge of British 
production for 20th Century-Fox. He is 
now an officer in the legion. Some years 
ago he was made a chevalier because of 
establishing production at the Paramount 
Joinville studios. 


Jane to Tour 

New York — Jane Withers will visit 
Latin- American countries, leaving the coast 
about Christmas on a three-month trip. 


A Faithful Reader 
Makes Report 

New York — No matter when Ameri- 
can trade papers arrive in England, 
Alexander Korda reads them, BOX- 
OFFICE included. 

"Sometimes they reach me about a 
month late, but it doesn't matter," he 
said before sailing. 


"Switch" Requests 
Reveal a Shortage 

New York — Despite a general denial 
from local exchange managers, an acute 
print shortage has developed to the point 
where at least two circuits have refused 
to pay score charges when requests for 
switching have brought on additional ex- 
pense in transportation charges. 

A checkup reveals exchanges are asking 
the major, as well as the independent 
circuits, to rearrange their shows, par- 
ticularly over weekends, due to a scarcity 
of prints. So many requests of this na- 
ture have come into the booking de- 
partment of one large independent circuit 
that the general manager personally visit- 
ed exchange heads to demand a cessation 
of the practice. When told that he could 
expect no immediate relief, the circuit 
executive declared he would refuse to pay 
score charges. 

The general feeling is that the re- 
quests for switching play havoc with pro- 
grams, inasmuch as theatres are not only 
left open to adverse criticism from pat- 
ions who expect to see an advertised pic- 
ture and find another, but often leave a 
weak, associate film as top feature when 
the original booking is taken away. 


Safron Back on Coast 

Los Angeles — Jerome Safron, western 
division sales head for Columbia, returns 
from New York Monday after sitting in 
with A. Montague on the National The- 
atres deal for “You Can’t Take It With 
You.” 


National Buys "Drums" 

New York — While negotiations continue 
on the balance of the lineup, UA has 
closed with National Theatres’ for 
“Drums,” on a one-picture arrangement. 


20 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


The P. A. Swears 
It's the Truth 

Hollywood — -Bert Lahr has hired a 
lion for a dramatic coach. In prepara- 
tion for a new role, he is putting in 
three hours a day taking lessons from 
the animal. He is practicing imitating 
the lion's voice, his gait, and is work- 
ing with Adrian, who is designing the 
costume that will conform as much as 
possible to the lion's anatomy. 

Detroit Co-op Row 
May Oust Richey 

By GENE RICH 

Detroit — With charges and counter- 
charges hurled by various groups in the 
organization, the ousting of Ray Moon as 
general manager of Cooperative Theatres 
of Michigan, Inc., is the main topic in the 
automotive center here. 

And close upon this bombshell, came 
definite reports that H. M. Richey, for 
years a national figure in Allied affairs 
and for the last year head of the theatre 
operations and public relations department 
of Cooperative, may be ousted before the 
“purge” is completed. 

Relative calm returned to the scene late 
this week, however, compared to the hectic 
meetings of various factions last week 
when Moon was ousted. The matter had 
been brewing for months, it was learned, 
and exploded only when a group within 
Cooperative attempted to “purge” four 
members of the board. 

These four, Boxoffice learned, were Ben 
Cohen, B. J. Cohn, Barney Kilbride and 
Lew Wisper. However, the plot backfired 
and these directors, together with one or 
two others obtained the upper hand, with 
the result that Moon was ousted from a 
post he held since the inception of Coop 
nine years ago. 

This week the board of strategy of Coop 
consists of the directors first marked for 
ousting, plus Alex Schreiber, who while 
he is not a member of the board, is never- 
theless giving the full cooperative powers 
of his Associated Theatres, which he oper- 
ates together with William London. 

The present board setup, in addition to 
the four directors mentioned, includes 
Fred DeLodder, president, Wade Allen, 
James Ritter, Gus Funk and Charles 
Komer. 

Carl Buermele, who has been assistant 
general manager, takes over the general 
managership of Coop. 

However, the announcement also said 
that “no other changes in personnel are 
contemplated.” It was learned that this 
statement, first included qualifying words 
tantamount to “at the present time.” And, 
from sources close to the organization, 
this writer learned that Richey’s position 
as head of the theatre operations and pub- 
lic relations department of the group, is 
in a precarious situation. 


Ray Moon Denies Plans 
To Form Rival Combine 

Detroit — Denying that he had any ideas 
about heading a rival Cooperative group 
of theatres, Ray Moon, ousted general 
manager of Cooperative Theatres of 
Michigan, Inc., gives Boxoffice the fol- 
lowing statement: 

“I * was one of the founders of Co- 
operative nine years ago. During that time 
not one member theatre went out of busi- 
ness, and the organization grew from a 
few theatres to nearly 100. It has become 
one of the most successful cooperatives 
in the U. S. 

“I tried to do the best I could, with 
fairness and equity to all my main thoughts 
at all times. But, of recent months a few 
members thought that a change was neces- 
sary for their best interests, and so, fired 
me. 

“I have no plans for the immediate 
future.” 

Moon gave Richey full credit, too, for 
the original organization of Cooperative 
of Michigan along the lines it now is 
functioning. 

Before organization of Coop, Moon was 
branch manager here for Universal. 


"In Several Weeks" 



New York — With the resignation of 
John Cecil Graham (above), Paramount’s 
managing director in Great Britain, “no 
decision to a successor will be made for 
several weeks,” states Stanton Griffis, 
chairman of the executive committee. 
John W. Hicks jr., in charge of foreign 
affairs for the company, is now in London 
and will remain there until the situation 
is cleared up. There are no indications 
whether a Continental executive or some- 
one from the home office will be named. 

Graham had been with the company 
since 1917 when he joined as special rep- 
resentative and made a number of South 
American surveys. Two years later he was 
named to his British post. 

Accompanied by Barney Balaban, presi- 
dent, Griffis will head for the coast Oc- 
tober 14 for regular annual studio con- 
ferences with Adolph Zukor and William 
LeBaron. 


No Word Yet From 
Zanuck 

New York — "While Darryl Zanuck 
was getting shaved by Sam, the Bar- 
ber, he was discussing a bad picture 
that an associate producer had made," 
reports Sidney Skolsky in the Daily 
Mirror. “Sam listened for a while and 
then he said to Zanuck, ’Pay me only 
half the salary you paid that guy and 
I'll make you a picture twice as bad.' " 

Disney Feature Is 
One-Third Complete 

New York — Walt Disney’s second fea- 
ture length cartoon, “Pinnochio,” is al- 
ready one-third completed and will be 
ready for 1939 fall release. This will be 
followed by an original musical animated 
feature, as yet untitled, under supervision 
of Deems Taylor, with music by Leopold 
Stokowski. Then will be “Bambi,” the 
script of which has been completed, with 
character development the next stage. Who 
will distribute the feature cartoons has not 
been set. 

These are facts brought back east by 
Hal Horne, Disney’s eastern representa- 
tive. He returned from the coast with 
Roy Disney, both of whom spent a few 
weeks in studio conferences. Disney is 
here to go over details concerning the gen- 
eral release of “Snow White” in England 
with William B. Levy, Disney’s London 
representative, who arrived on the Queen 
Mary. The film is just now going into 
general release there. Disney returns to 
the coast in about three weeks. 

The 1938-39 lineup of 18 cartoons has 
been completed and six of the 1939-40 
schedule are in work. Ground has been 
broken for a new studio, to cost $1,500,000. 
which is expected to be ready next August. 


Yen, Not Dollars. Keeps 
"Snow White" From Japan 

New York — Unless more satisfactory fi- 
nancial arrangements are made, it looks 
as if Japan will be one of the few countries 
on this globe where “Snow White and the 
Seven Dwarfs” will not be exhibited. The 
fly in the ointment as far as RKO is con- 
cerned is that the Japanese want to pay in 
yen while RKO, naturally, would prefer 
dollars. 

In the meantime, the situation remains 
hopelessly deadlocked. Phil Reisman, who 
is now in London, will return early in No- 
vember. Until then, no official action will 
be taken. Reisman, incidentally, is stay- 
ing over now that the war crisis has 
passed. 


Big "Angels" Campaign 

New York — A national advertising cam- 
paign in 14 leading fan magazines will be 
conducted by Warner for “Angels With 
Dirty Faces.” 


BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1938 E 


21 



A Luncheon for Roach 



Maurice Silverstone, Dr. A. H. Giannini, Jack Alicoate and George J. Schaefer. 



Spyros Skouras emphasizing a point in a discussion with the producer of 
“There Goes My Heart” and evidently drives it home. 



Lynn Farnol explaining hov: the new mystery radio control works to Red 
Kann. Schaefer looks on with interest, hut Sam Shain reveals his bald spot 
and dodges the camera, while Ben Shlyen just smiles. The Rainbow Room 
atop the RCA Building was , the place. The electric train was designed to 
stress the title of the picture. It — the train — wasn’t so good on the curves. 



RAL HODE, Columbia executive, acts as 
an industry spokesman in a talk over 
WQXR Monday night in rebuttal on an 
attack against the business which was 
delivered over that station recently. His 
answer is appropriately entitled “The 
Movies Talk Back” . . . Dave Gould, 
Metro’s manager for Puerto Rico, depart- 
ed Thursday . . . Larry Smith, RKO 
Pathe’s cameraman, is proud of the fact 
that when Director Frank Donovan shot 
the short "Deep End,” which is about the 
lovely women diving champs, he turned his 
back on Hollywood and brought Smith out 
from New York. 

Rosalind Russell left for the M-G-M 
studios, Thursday, after a brief vacation 
here . . . E. K. (Ted) O’Shea visited Ash- 
ville, Charlotte, and Washington . . . Joe 
Seider has reopened the Oddfellow’s Hall 
at Greenport while the Greenport, in the 
same town and demolished by the recent 
hurricane, is being rebuilt . . . Martial law 
has been abandoned at West Hampton and 
Seider’s theatre in the toum by the same 
name is only allowed to operate weekends 
for the present . . . Lou Diamond is back 
from the coast . . . J. Robert Rubin was 
interrogated Thursday for a second time 
in the Loew minority stockholders’ suit. 


An extremely quiet day Wednesday 
when Jewish members of the New York 
trade observed Yom Kippur, the Day of 
Atonement . . . Ray Whitley visiting from 
the coast. He’s the cowpuncher who sings 
in many RKO pictures . . . Irwin Lesser, 
local Paramount salesman, went down the 
bay to meet his wife returning on the lie 
de France from a six-month visit to 
France, Italy and Switzerland . . . Irving 
Berlin got back from London on the same 
liner . . . S. A. Lynch has been in town 
visiting the Paramount home office these 
past few days. 

Arthur Willi, RKO talent scout, spent 
tivo days in W ashington and Philadelphia 
looking over new legit shows and also 
checking up on radio talent. Previously, 
he signed Charles Powers, James McCal- 
lion and Walter Ward, three 18 -year-old 
lads who have appeared in the Broadway 
drama . . . Charles W. Koerner, RKO dis- 
trict head in New England, is back from 
a two-week vacation in London. He was 
back in time to attend Johnny O’Connor’s 
testimonial beefsteak at the Astor. 


Ad Schulberg was in from the coast for 
a few days on talent deals . . . June Lang 
was among the Queen Mary passengers 
. . . Charles K. Stern, assistant treasurer 
of Loew’s, is on home soil again after a 
business-vacation journey to Norway, 
Denmark and Sweden . . . Wesley Ruggles 
is en route to the Paramount studios after 
a vacation abroad. His next directorial ef- 
fort will be “Invitation to Happiness” with 
Irene Dunne . . . John C. Flynn has been 
ill . . . Ditto Leo Spitz, but better now . . . 

(Continued on page 24-B) 


All Camera Work on Both Pages by 
Metropolitan Photos. 


22 


BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1938 


jyjAJOR LESLIE E. THOMPSON, A. H. 

MacCausland, Malcolm Kingsberg, 
W. G. Van Schmus, O. R. MacMahon and 
Nate J. Blumberg paid tribute to John J. 
O’Connor, vice-president and general 
manager of RKO, at a beefsteak party 
tendered him at the Astor Hotel. There 
were 77 on hand for the festivities on the 
eve of RKO’s emergence from 77B. Sena- 
tor Henry Walters acted as toastmaster 
and also lauded the theatre executive for 
his fine work. 

As the initial speaker, Thompson said: 
“In John J. O’Connor you have a man 
you can bank on. I saw him grow up from 
an office boy. I’m telling you he’s okay. 
Take a ticket on Johnny. If I were to 
pick a man for the spot, he’s the one. 
You’re lucky to have him and he will have 
the backing and support as long as I’m in 
RKO.” Characterized by Walters as “an 
involuntary amusement executive,” A. H. 
MacCausland, Irving Trustee representa- 
tive, stated, “We’re all proud of Johnny. 
He’s done a great job. RKO is going 
places from now on.” 

Next was Blumberg, whom Walters re- 
ferred to as “an interloper, a so-called 
deserter, but one who has not left a 
deserted ship.” The president of Uni- 
versal was moved and, when he finished 
he had a suspicion of tears in his eyes. He 
was greeted with resounding applause 
when he entered and when he spoke. “All 
the fine things said about O’Connor,” 
Blumberg stated, “all the words cannot 
express how fine a man he is. He is a 
grand person, honest, decent and capable. 
I can assure you of one thing: He will 
never let you down. He is always watch- 
ing out for your interests. Johnny has 
ability; plenty of it. That’s why he is 
where he is today. He was chosen for his 
present job because he could do a great 
job — and I can tell you he has. Everyone 
in the organization I have spoken to says 
he has done a great job. It was a great 
day when we picked him to succeed me 
to head the theatre company. “You’ve got 
a great company,” Blumberg said to the 
division, district and theatre managers 
present. “Don’t let it bother you about 
the reorganization, whether RKO comes 
out before or after January 1. Give 
everything you’ve got to Johnny. He’s up 
there fighting for you every day.” A deep 
red covered Blumberg’s face as he sat 
down. 

Van Schmus then took the floor. He 
added his praise, saying, “Among all my 
experiences with motion picture people 
one stands out in integrity and word of 
honor — and you know how important that 
is in this business. The one man who 
stands out above them all is John O’Con- 
nor. I have said this to him in person. I 
think it is important to you to know the 
character of the man you are dealing with. 
In his own quiet way he has reached the 
top spot and I am proud to call him 
friend.” 

McMahon spoke briefly and then a tele- 
gram was read from Leo Spitz, who could 
not make the affair. Kingsberg asserted: 
“Johnny is young in years, but old in 
service.” The executive thought O’Connor 
joined the company as a stenographer, but 
when informed he was a booker at the 
time, he said, “anyway, he joined at the 
bottom and today is on top. He got there 
entirely on his own merit. He has a 
record we can all look to. We are proud 
to have an executive at the head with a 


A Dinner for O’Connor 


record like that and we hope he will be 
with us for many, many years.” Taking 
the floor finally, O’Connor said, “This is 
my second dinner in five years and I hope 
the next one is for someone else.” 

Looking around the room and noticing 
all the managers present, he said: “I’m 
glad the boys are all here tonight.” 
O’Connor then told a joke and followed 
with, “We’ve done a fine job in the last 
six months what with Screeno, Beano, 
double features, the Movie Quiz contest 
and Bank Night. The bookings for the 
past three weeks have been good and the 
future looks just as well.” He was pre- 
sented with a handsome desk set and then 
everyone broke out into “He’s a Jolly Good 
Fellow” and called it a night. Early, too. 



The honor guest draws a quick laugh 
from Nate J. Blumberg and Senator 
Walters. 



Eyes to the camera. Bottom to top: 
A. H. McCausland, Leon Goldberg, 
Leslie E. Thompson, O’Connor, Walters, 
Malcolm Kingsberg, W. G. Van 
Schmus, O. R. MacMahon, Charles 
MacDonald and Louis Goldberg. 



Off the dais and including, but not in order, MacDonald and Goldberg again. 
Max Fellerman, Milton Maier and Tom O'Connor. 



More sideline stuff. Group includes H. R. Emde,' James Brennan, Charles' W . 
Koerner, William K. Howard and Joe Becker. Engrossed in the food is 
Fred Meyers. , V [ 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


23 




Admission Tax Returns Gain; 
Reflect Improved Boxoffices 


Washington — Theatre business for the 
year ending June 30 was an improvement 
over the previous 12 months, federal ad- 
mission tax returns reflect. 

Collections — totaling $20,800,779.49 
against $19,740,191.78 in 1937 — represented 
increases in all classifications except ad- 
missions to roof gardens and cabarets, but 
the improvement in business represented 
by the higher collections was concentrated 
in less than half of the states. 

Leading contributor to the admission-tax 
collection plate, as usual, was New York, 
where total receipts were $7,853,221 com- 
pared with $7,813,031 in 1937. California, 
also as usual, was second, with $2,296,- 
282.14 compared with $1,771,305; Illinois 
third, with $1,881,247 against $1,623,535, 
and Massachusetts fourth, with $1,227,837 
against $1,251,251. No other state topped 
$1,000,000, although Pennsylvania did in 
1937, a loss carrying it from $1,049,107 in 
that year to $995,839 in 1938. 


Most important item, from the stand- 
point of the exhibitors, was the collection 
of taxes on boxoffice admissions, which 
totaled $18,423,307 compared with $17,- 
367,439 in 1937. Exhibitors, however, also 
are interested in the collections on free or 
reduced rate tickets, which were $575,954 
against $560,444. 

The ups and downs of the amusement 
industries were, perhaps, most strikingly 
exemplified in the admission tax figures 
for a few of the states. California, for in- 
stance, showed an increase of more than 
$500,000 in total tax collections, while its 
neighbor, Washington, showed a drop of 
$7,000. Massachusetts showed a drop of 
$23,000, while its neighbor, New Hamp- 
shire, reported an increase of $31,000. 

Total admission tax collections for each 
state and territory, compared with those 
in 1937, are shown in the following table, 
in which, also, are given the boxoffice and 
free or reduced rate admission taxes for 
each state: 



Boxoffice 

1938 

Free or 

1938 

1937 


Admissions 

Reduced Tickets 

Total 

Total 

Alabama 

$ 52,918.40 

$ 3.524.10 

$ 56.459.37 

$ 62.281.84 

Alaska 

21,764.96 

32.80 

21,797.76 

19.692.05 

Arizona 

20,780.43 

289.30 

21,359.34 

19,821.52 

Arkansas 

44,922.73 

4.862.23 

50,607.63 

39.010.42 

California 

2.042,397.22 

34,799.76 

2.296.282.14 

1,771,305.49 

Colorado 

113.007.76 

2.901.40 

116.744.58 

105.351.45 

Connecticut 

187.174.28 

2.925.62 

205.369.61 

201.246.32 

Delaware 

42.975.30 

176.35 

47.842.30 

10,562.83 

Washington, D. C. 

260.103.25 

3.048.31 

274.401.11 

295.098.50 

Florida 

258.768.57 

1.985.58 

286.457.46 

288.960.65 

Georgia 

71,486.61 

11.423.51 

83.515.78 

86.697.86 

Hawaii 

59,351.44 

858.81 

61.673.41 

57.104.24 

Idaho 

15.817.78 


15.817.78 

17.105.39 

Illinois 

1.629.549.12 

77.225.67 

1.881,247.63 

1.623.535.59 

Indiana 

294.370.39 

6.579.78 

304.108.16 

311.170.16 

Iowa 

66.618.86 

2,113.33 

71.239.88 

75,256.17 

Kansas 

49,844.00 

2.639.30 

52,616.30 

40.196.00 

Kentucky 

59.497.04 

28.543.00 

120.324.50 

130.828.53 

Louisiana 

89.983.23 

2.705.32 

104,141.18 

107.661.24 

Maine 

32.651.54 

230.47 

35.101.31 

34,710.03 

Maryland 

303.894.89 

28.542.62 

355,566.71 

343.492.73 

Massachusetts 

1.058.915.55 

87.501.58 

1.227.837.27 

1.251.251.44 

Michigan 

612.927.58 

10.336.94 

696.771.16 

625.221.78 

Minnesota 

185.465.87 

1.229.30 

209,351.30 

171.133.88 

Mississippi 

7,822.85 

335.68 

8,158.53 

11.135.19 

Missouri 

345,145.19 

6.832.84 

385.474.52 

397.188.52 

Montana 

18.206.35 

172.32 

18.404.32 

21.280.44 

Nebraska 

48.173.37 

1.410.35 

50.228.63 

62.817.29 

Nevada 

8.312.78 

100.09 

10,485.48 

13.056.63 

New Hampshire 

59.209.24 

20.112.45 

79.614.32 

48.384.68 

New Jersey 

492.558.77 

5.790.73 

555.165.14 

517,463.80 

New Mexico 

13.741.68 

523.32 

14.328.69 

14.546.80 

New York 

6,933.909.25 

121,029.35 

7.853.221.48 

7.813.031.42 

North Carolina 

69.466.72 


69.466.72 

77.829.22 

North Dakota 

3.056.09 

95.80 

3.151.89 

2.615.03 

Ohio 

546.944.30 

18.568.54 

647.522.16 

543.746.33 

Oklahoma 

88.160.86 

4.237.53 

94.346.64 

88.024.97 

Oregon 

90.180.34 

7.750.44 

99,181.99 

76.382.25 

Pennsylvania 

900.874.11 

10.113.19 

995.839.27 

1.059.107.49 

Rhode Island 

137,316.19 

36.320.50 

180.141.61 

182.441.53 

South Carolina 

26.097.12 

663.98 

26.761.10 

32.576.38 

South Dakota 

8.560.04 

199.35 

8.759.39 

9.255.46 

Tennessee 

87.816.27 

3.364.43 

97.122.49 

86.125.14 

Texas 

481.289.21 

9.227.48 

492.684.17 

514.160.59 

Utah 

41.322.04 

765.07 

42.23J.83 

26.226.41 

Vermont 

6.806.51 

73.79 

8.054.53 

9.318.29 

Virginia 

115.402.88 


120.335.81 

116.018.68 

Washington 

153.196.98 

6.228.33 

163.247.62 

170.325.85 

West Virginia 

22.823.45 

1.077.46 

24.058.20 

21.424.07 

Wisconsin 

130,986.33 

6,395.55 

145.037.40 

152.456.34 

Wyoming 

10,741.37 

20.90 

11.121.79 

11.556.87 

Philippine Islands 





Total 

$18,423,307.09 

5575.954.55 

$20,800,779.49 

$19,740,191.78 


He's Strong for 
Goodwill 

New York — Far-sightedness in taking 
a definite stand in the matter of forc- 
ing shorts is not the only gesture Wil- 
liam F. Rodgers, general sales mana- 
ger of M-G-M, has made in the past 
few weeks. 

When the hurricane hit the eastern 
seaboard states and threw a monkey- 
wrench into theatre operations in many 
New England and Long Island spots, 
Rodgers immediately sent out letters to 
branch managers in those areas advis- 
ing them to get in touch with exhibi- 
tors affected and offer assistance and 
cooperation of any kind during the 
emergency. In several instances, he 
wrote circuit heads direct. This is said 
to be the first and only company to 
make such an unusual offering. 


20th-Fox Franchise 
Sole Skouras Deal 

New York — With the exception of the 
20th-Fox franchise, on which new terms 
have yet to be worked out, the Skouras 
circuit with about 62 houses, has not con- 
cluded a single product deal for 1938-39, 
according to William White, aide to George 
P. Skouras, and film buying head. 

However, while this circuit is biding its 
time, Harry Buxbaum and Joe Lee, branch 
and local sales manager, respectively, at 
the 20th-Fox exchange, have negotiated 
and signed deals with the following the- 
atre organizations: Walter Reade, Cen- 
tury, Consolidated Amusements, Isle, Sam 
Cocalis, Dave Snaper, Interboro, Stein, 
Murray Stahl, Fabian, Randforce, Pru- 
dential, upstate Publix, Warner in Jersey, 
Rapf & Rudin, Frank Mascato and the 
Trans-Lux Newsreel units. 

Kuykendall Goes Home 
Before Convention Stretch 

New York — Ed Kuykendall, president of 
the MPTOA, left for Columbus, Miss., his 
home town, over the weekend. After a 
brief visit, he will head for Oklahoma City 
where he will complete arrangements for 
the annual convention of the exhibitor 
organization. As soon as final details are 
set, Kuykendall will return to New York 
and then to Oklahoma City for the pow- 
wows. A number of sales executives from 
New York are expected to attend. 


Plans Crozet House 

Richmond, Va. — Crozet, Va., will have a 
modern theatre about November 1. W. H. 
Haden, a merchant, has closed his general 
business and is converting his store build- 
ing into a 300-capacity theatre. A bal- 
cony is being installed exclusively for 
Negroes. This store building is the oldest 
in Crozet. 


24 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


Ten Grand Nat'l 
"A" Films Readied 


New York — Grand National will have 
ten “A” pictures of the 44 planned in ad- 
dition to 24 westerns, Edward L. Alperson, 
general sales manager, told Boxoffice on 
the eve of the eastern two-day regional 
meeting at the St. Moritz. The company 
will probably have two specials in addi- 
tion to the “A’s,” he added, these to be 
sold later on separately. 

A general review of product and sales 
policy highlighted the sessions which were 
attended by home office personnel and 
managers from Albany, New York, Buf- 
falo, New Haven, Boston, Atlanta, Char- 
lotte, Philadelphia, Washington, Pitts- 
burgh, Cleveland and Cincinnati. 

Five films were shown to the forces as- 
sembled. They were “Shadows Over 
Shanghai,” “Cipher Bureau,” “Frontier 
Scout,” “Titans of the Deep,” and “Sun- 
set Strip Case,” with Sally Rand. 

Headquarters are being moved east 
gradually, Alperson said. He arrived 
Tuesday night from Chicago after at- 
tending a three-day regional at the 
Stevens Hotel. Jack Skirball, production 
head, got in from the coast Saturday, the 
first day of the two-day meetings. 

Under the production setup, Grand Na- 
tional will make 18 features and Fine Arts 
26. Educational will supply 44 shorts of 
which there will be 18 two-reelers. There 
will also be two series of single reelers. 

E. W. Hammons, president, sails Wed- 
nesday on the Normandie. He will not be 
accompanied by Jack Barnstyn, foreign 
head. A1 Crown now is in complete 
charge of the company’s Paris office now 
that Arthur Gottlieb has resigned. There 
had been some question as to Gottlieb’s 
resignation, but this has been cleared up. 
With the opening by the end of the year 
of offices in Butte, Memphis and Okla- 
homa City, Grand National will have 32 
exchanges in the United States, six in 
Canada and offices in England and 
France. 

There is a strong possibility that Ham- 
mons may again get together with ABFD 
to continue releasing GN output. 

Alperson will not permanently locate 
here until the new offices in the Asso- 
ciated Press Building in Radio City have 
been completed. The entire eighth floor 
will house GN and Educational. 

Educational earnings for the fiscal year 
ended June 25, 1938, dropped slightly as 
compared with the previous year. The 
net profit amounted to $120,819.27 for the 
1938 year as against $168,056.26 for the 
same period last year. The latest earn- 
ings amount to $1.35 a share as compared 
with $1.87 in 1937. The annual meeting 
will be held October 21. 


Grand National Announces 
New District Setup 

Chicago — After three days of confer- 
ences, the executive staff of Grand Na- 
tional Pictures moved on to New York for 
the eastern and southern regional meet- 
ing this weekend. Branch managers from 
the west and middlewest met here at the 
Stevens Hotel over last weekend to hear 


Get Opportunity to Buy Stock 


New York — Columbia Pictures’ stock- 
holders, at their annual meeting, approved 
an arrangement, pre-determined by the 
company, to extend options on stock pur- 
chases at approximately $14 per share to: 

Samuel J. Briskin, general manager of 
the studio — 10,000 shares. 

A. Montague, general sales manager — 
7,500 shares. 

A. Schneider, treasurer — 7,500 shares. 

Employment contracts were approved 
and “all the acts and proceedings of the 
previous year of the board were approved” 
as well. Harry Cohn was re-elected presi- 
dent; Jack Cohn, vice-president; A. 
Schneider, treasurer; Louis J. Barbano, 
assistant treasurer, and Charles Schwartz 
of Schwartz and Frohlich, secretary. 

The retiring board of directors was also 
returned to office. Aside from the two 
Cohns, Schneider and Schwartz, it in- 
cludes Leo M. Blancke, Sol Bornstein and 
Jack Kerner. 




SAMUEL J. BRISKIN 





A. MONTAGUE 


A. SCHNEIDER 


Edward Alperson, general manager of dis- 
tribution, announce the company’s pro- 
gram of 44 features, two specials, 24 west- 
erns, divided into four groups of six each, 
and 44 shorts, from Educational. 

Alperson, in announcing six district 
sales managers, said that the company’s 
sales organization is expected to be doubled 
in the first step of rehabilitation in the 
field. The district men named were Morris 
Safier, formerly assistant to Alperson, to 
head the west coast district consisting of 
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Port- 
land, Salt Lake City, Denver and Butte; 
James Winn, former San Francisco man- 
ager, to head the mid-west district of 
Chicago, Minneapolis, Omaha, St. Louis, 
Kansas City, Des Moines and Milwaukee; 
Ralph Kinsler, former Cincinnati manager, 
to the mid-east district of Cincinnati, 
Cleveland, Detroit and Indianapolis; 
Jules Lapidus, former Pittsburgh man- 
ager, to the middle Atlantic district, in- 
cluding Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and 
Washington; Jack Lamont, former Atlanta 
manager, to the southern district of At- 


lanta, Dallas, New Orleans, Charlotte, 
Memphis and Oklahoma City; and Harry 
Asher, former Boston manager, to the east- 
ern district of Boston, Buffalo, New Haven 
and Albany. 

The new circuit sales manager is Sol 
Edwards, former New York branch man- 
ager, and Peter Rosian, has been upped 
from Cleveland branch manager to the 
same post in New York City. 

E. W. Hammons, president of the new 
company, will attend the New York meet- 
ing, with Jack Skirball coming in from 
Los Angeles for it. Alperson, Sam Berko- 
witz of Fine Arts Pictures and Gordon S. 
White, advertising director, who attended 
the meeting here, moved on this week to 
New York for that meeting. 

Of the 44 features by Grand National 
this year, at least 26 will be produced by 
Fine Arts Pictures. 

Anna Sten will star in two productions, 
the first, “Exile Express,” now in prepara- 
tion. Product already completed includes 
“Shadows Over Shanghai,” starring James 
(Continued on page 24-F) 


BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1938 


24-A 






(Continued from page 22) 

Marion Spitzer, once identified with Para- 
mount studio, is visiting. 

Abe Leff’s son, Norman, will be Bar 
Mitzvahed, October 15, at Temple Beth 
Elohim in the Hunts Point section of the 
Bronx. The following day a luncheon will 
be given for friends and business asso- 
ciates at the Astor Hotel . . . Si Fabian re- 
turned from Albany in time to observe the 
holidays . . . Joe Seider holds weekly 
meetings on Tuesday with Prudential man- 
agers in Long Island . . . Douglas Fair- 
ba?iks has formed a new company and 
plans to make “The 10th Woman ” and 
“The Story of Lola Montez.” He expects 
to produce foreign versions at the same 
time . . . Miriam Hopkins is visiting her 
husband, Antone Litvak, here . . . Mary 
Pickford flew to Columbus the other day 
when she learned Buddy Rogers was in- 
jured in an auto crash ... Charles E. Mc- 
Carthy, Arch Reeves and Morris Kinzler 
got together at the Astor Hunting Room, 
Monday . . . Fernand Gravet, after several 
postponements, finally sailed on the Paris 
for Paris where he will make a French film 
for one of the local independent producers. 

Columbia’s Lindy lunchers shattered all 
tradition by admitting Bill Sussman to 
the festive table. Bob Wolff was the first 
to notice it. He demanded: “Wotcha do- 
ing in the enemy camp?” Bill turned up 
half a nose and sotto voiced: “I belong. 
I’m a blood relative” . . . Leo Justin and 
Walter Reade jr„ rounded out the table 
with Wolff . . . Few chairs away was 
Freddie Schwartz and a friend . . . Rube 
Jackter went it alone with Jake Milstein 
. . . Max and William Goldberg and Arch 
Mayer and Irv Shapiro made up a table of 
“furriners” . . . A1 Margolies proud of the 
fact that he supplied one of the better 
laugh lines in Alfred Hitchcock’s “The 
Lady Vanishes” . . . Jack Harris, Skouras 
circuit executive, has a new daughter, 
which makes Charlie Moskowitz an uncle 
again . . . E. K. (Ted) O’Shea and another 
Broadway stroller engrossed in the Cri- 
terion marquee. 

Casandra, the “human newsreel ” as she 
is called, entertained employes of the local 
film exchanges the other night at their 
meeting at the Capitol Hotel . . . Ben 
Goetz delayed his sailing for home until 
he completed the cast for “ Goodbye Mr. 
Chips,” third in the British production 
lineup for M-G-M . . . After a weekend in 
the country, Steven Pallos switched from 
the Sherry Netherlands to the Essex House 
. . . Bill Rodgers was out of town again 
during the week . . . Y. Frank Freeman 
was a New Orleans visitor during the 
week . . . The Morris Schlozmans are in- 
f anticipating . He’s business manager of 
Boxoffice out of Kansas City. 

M. A. Wally leaves next week for Kan- 
sas City, Indianapolis and Omaha on Uni- 
versal business. He has been a regular 
commuter between these points in the last 
few weeks . . . Milton Maier, RKO at- 
torney, visited his brother and sister-in- 
law at Burlington, Vt„ the other weekend 



The Boss in Two 
Directions 

New York — Cutest romance of the 
week is the marriage of RKO Pathe's 
head office boy, Jimmy White, 22, to 
office girl, Ann Collerean, 18. Until 
Jimmie could make up his mind to tell 
Boss Fred Ullman jr. about his plans, 
he paced the hall for many a long 
minute, then generated enough cour- 
age to break the news. Instead of 
getting fired as he feared, Jimmie re- 
ceived a raise and congratulations. 
And Jimmie is still giving orders to 
Ann. 


. . . Spyros Skouras accompanied S. R. 
Kent from Harmon when the latter re- 
turned from the coast. 


Dave Coplan, Columbia’s general sales 
manager in Canada, was a brief home of- 
fice conferencer with Abe Montague . . . 
Clair Hilgers, special representative for Re- 
public, paid a quick visit to Sol Davis, 
Oklahoma City franchise holder . . . James 
R. Grainger is due from the coast, October 
15 . . . John H. Harris, Pittsburgh circuit 
head, will deliver a talk on “ First Facts in 
the Movies” over WOR, October 17 in con- 
nection with the industry drive. Harris 
has some interesting data to relate, in- 
cluding the opening of the world’s first 
film theatre . . . Fay Rothman, Lou Wein- 
berg’s secretary, leaves on the Carinthia, 
October 15, for a voyage to Havana and 
Nassau . . . Y. Frank Freeman tossed off 
a quick return trip to New Orleans over 
the weekend . . . Murray Livingston is 
managing Century’s Albermarle in Brook- 
lyn . . . Hal Horne knows an attorney who 
has seen “Snow White” 16 times, likes it 
better each time, is getting to know the 
lines by memory and who is taking French 
lessons in advance of seeing the picture in 
that tongue. 


Ira Genet, who writes scripts, can also 
play golf. He walked off with the first 
prize for the low net at the Eastern Vita- 
phone studio golf tournament at the Hill- 
crest club in Jamaica the other day. Sam 
Sax won the nearest-to-the-pin trophy. 
Prizes for low net and lowest scores in the 
foursomes were garnered by Lloyd French, 
Saul Chaplin, Roy Mack, Lee Stewart, 
Sammy Cahn, Dick Willis, Stuart Karpf, 
Cy Wood sr., Cy Wood jr., Ed Schreiber, 
Norman H. Moray, George Ackerson, Mil- 
ton Cohen, Gerald Marfleet, Irving Hy- 
land, Harold Bauman, Eddie Forman and 
Jack Henley. 

Joe Moskowitz writes from Beverly Hills 
to say he is remaining in Hollywood for 
another week . . . Chester Morris is doing 
a week of personal appearances at the 
Strand . . . John Payne, one of the leads 
in “Garden of the Moon,” is in town on a 
ten-day vacation. His wife, Anne Shirley, 
is along . . . Maxie Rosenbloom, sometimes 
knovm as “Slapsie Maxie,” is here on a 



short visit from the Warner lot .. . Fred- 
die Meyers has delayed his vacation to 
Coronado Beach and leaves here in a cou- 
ple of weeks. 


Roy Haines is back on the job after a 
week in bed. He wrenched his back while 
stepping out of an automobile and, after 
a nice rest, is in fine fettle again . . . 
Aubrey Schenck has taken a duplex pent 
house on Riverside Drive and 86th St. . . . 
Jerry Safron delayed his departure for the 
coast until Friday and, by the time you 
read this, will be decked in his maroon 
jacket in his office . . . Ann Rosenthal, 
former Grand National attorney, is back 
from a lengthy sojourn in California. 


Haskell Masters, Canadian UA district 
manager, is turning out to be a commuter. 
In the past two weeks he made three trips 
to New York. He was around last Satur- 
day, returned to Toronto, Tuesday, and, 
after spending the Jewish holidays with 
his family, came back Thursday for talks 
with George J. Schaefer . . . Christine 
Gray, secretary to Bill Powers, sailed the 
other day on the Veendam for a three- 
week vacation abroad . . . Herman Wob- 
ber’s wife and daughter, Joan, have joined 
him here. The day after they arrived 
Wobber showed them around 20 th-Fox 
headquarters. 

J. J. Sullivan will be leaving for his coast 
quarters late in the month and probably 
will come back again for an extended stay 
the end of the year . . . Charles E. Mc- 
Carthy returned to his Nutley home 
Saturday. He took the Chief from the coast 
as far as Chicago and then changed to the 
Pennsy so that he could make a better 
connection for the Jersey town . . . 
George Raft is vacationing in these parts 
and “Stu” Irwin is here to appear in a 
picture being produced by William K. 
Howard at the Astoria studios . . . Jules 
Levy returned from Chicago on the same 
20th Century that brought Dr. A. H. 
Giannini in from the coast . . . Norman 
Moray uses special cigar holders imported 
from Czechoslovakia at a cent a piece. 

Elmer C. Rhoden of Fox Midwest, Kan- 
sas City, and Rick Ricketson of Fox In- 
termountain, Denver, are due in town for 
conferences the next few days with Spy- 
ros Skouras, J. J. Sullivan, William T. 
Powers, Edward "Label, Milt Hossfeld and 
Aubrey Schenck . . . Irving Mass of the 
20 th-Fox foreign department is back on 
home soil after a visit overseas . . . Jay 
C. Flippen and Paul Douglas will pitch 
in their comments along with other Movie- 
tonews narrators for the football series 
. . . Patricia Morison, who appeared in 
“Two Bouquets” on the local stage, is now 
working on the Paramount lot . . . Archie 
Mayo in from Europe. 

Bob O’Donnell and Karl Hoblitzelle are 
back in the Lone Star state after Para- 
mount home office palavers . . . Jack 

(Continued on page 24-E) 


24-B 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 



KING OF FILMS 


EASTMAN Super X Panchromatic Negative 
reigns supreme. . . . Not by virtue of fine 
grain alone. ... Not by virtue of speed alone. 
. . . But by a combination of those cjualities 
with that prime requisite of the fine motion 
picture, superb and dependable photo- 
graphic quality. Eastman Kodak Company, 
Rochester, N. Y. (J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Dis- 
tributors, Fort Lee, Chicago, Hollywood.) 


EASTMAN SUPER X 

PANCHROMATIC NEGATIVE 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


24-C 



Washington — Paramount’s Lou Smith, 
catapulted from press-agentry to an as- 
sociate producer’s berth under Prank Lloyd, 
is saluted by Capital critics and showmen 
on the occasion of his arrival in town with 
a print of his first picture, "If I Were 


j^NGIE RATTO, Loew’s Palace manager, 
spending much of his time this past 
week accepting congratulations, for it’s 
another “birthday” for Angie. Also for 
J. R. Wood and Walter Collins, electricians 
at Palace. Just 23 years ago the three 
of them went to work at the Columbia, 
another Loew house, going to the Palace 
about a year later when it was opened, 
and there they’ve stayed ever since . . . 
Paramount’s Lou Smith, who went from 
the publicity department to an associate 
producer’s chore with Producer-Director 
Frank Lloyd, in town with a print of “If 
I Were King,” feted at luncheon by Carter 
Barron. Loew division manager, and Eddie 
Fontaine, Paramount branch manager; 
then screening his film for the critics, 
who pronounced it a sure success . . . 
Oddest sight in the screening room late- 
ly: Director Sam Wood wiping tears from 
his eyes at a bit of hokum sold with a 
bang by Mickey Rooney in “Stablemates,” 
which was directed by Sam Wood . . . 
Other visitors: Carlton Duffus, promoting 
M-G-M’s “Great Waltz” contest, with 
which the studio hopes to get the “jitter- 
bugs” in a three-quarter time mood for 
the new film: Paramount’s C. N. Odell, 
shepherding a covered wagon and a pair 
of mules announcing “Arkansas Travel- 
er.” 

Loew lads in this area really came 
through on the “Her Jungle Love” pro- 
motion contest, Ray Bell here, Roscoe 
Drissel in Norfolk and Allen Sparrow in 
Richmond grabbing $150 each . . . The 
Ambassador, Warner neighborhood, has a 
new matinee policy . . . Col. Jason S. 
Joy, 20 th Century-Fox chief scenario 
editor, screened “Submarine Patrol” for 
Navy Department, took it back to Holly- 
wood with an okay . . . Tony Muto now 
voted a resident member of Variety Club 
. . . Phil Lampkin, Capitol pit maestro, 
also admitted, proving left-handed trum- 
pet players now accepted by society . . . 
Variety’s luncheon Monday to be in honor 
of Rudy Berger, ex-chief barker . . . How- 


King.” The glass-handlers are Jay Car- 
mody, drama editor of The Evening Star; 
Eddie Fontaine, Paramount branch man- 
ager; Mr. Smith; Carter Barron, Loew di- 
vision chief; Nelson Bell of The Post, and 
Harry MacArthur, of The Star. 


ard Burkhardt, Capitol house manager, in 
New York for a look-see at stage show 
talent. 

Those strains of “I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck 
from Georgia Tech” probably came from 
the Carter Barrons manse, Mr. and Mrs. 
B. entertaining the Henry Morgans of 
Atlanta, Mr. Morgan being an old Ram- 
blin’ Wreck pal of Carter’s . . . Morris 
Schmalzbach, home office auditor, paying 
a call at the 20th Century-Fox exchange 
. . . The newcomer is expected any day 
now at the palatial (two bedrooms and 
a cocker spaniel) Westmorland Hills home 
of the Dan Terrells (he’s in the Warner 
press department) . . . Also at the For- 
dyce Minnicks (she’s Evelyn Tyner, popu- 
lar pianist who got her start in the Capi- 
tol’s first “Going Native” revue) . . . Mrs. 
Debbie Sichelman, GB booker, has re- 
signed, rumored on account of to raise a 
family . . . Earl Taylor, 20th-Fox booker, 
going to Monogram; Ira Sichelman, ad 
sales manager, being promoted to his spot: 
A1 Miller, postal clerk, being made ad 
sales manager. 

Baltimore Notes: Sam Diamond editing 
“The Barker,” new news sheet just inau- 
gurated by Baltimore Variety . . . Norman 
Clarke, News-Post critic, to be honored 
by Variety Tuesday, October 11, when his 
new play, “Windoiv Shopping ,” opens at 
the Maryland Theatre. 


Schenck Reports 

Washington — Joseph M. Schenck re- 
ports to the SEC he sold 10,400 shares of 
20th Century- Fox common in August, mak- 
ing a total of 49,200 in the last three 
months. As of August 30, he still held 
119,443 shares. 

Darryl F. Zanuck and William Goetz 
sold 10,000 shares each in August. 


John Barrymore Role 

Hollywood — John Barrymore draws the 
top role in RKO’s “The Great Man Votes.” 


Name Committees 
For Capital Party 

Washington — Preliminary plans for the 
Variety Club’s fifth annual banquet, to be 
held November 19 at the Willard Hotel, 
have been completed and all committee 
appointments for the affair have been 
made. 

Abe Lichtman, operator of a chain cf 
neighborhood theatres, has assumed the 
general chairmanship, replacing Rudy Ber- 
ger, M-G-M branch manager, who was 
unable to serve. 

His chief assistants will be Harry E. 
Lohmeyer of Warner and Sam Galanty. 
Columbia eastern division manager. 

The board of governors of the club has 
appointed the following committees to 
serve under Mr. Lichtman: 

Entertainment — Hardie Meakin, chair- 
man; Clarke Davis, Guy Wonders, Gene 
Ford, Harry Anger and Phil Hayden. 

Dinner — Carter Barron, chairman; Tom 
O’Donnell and Harry P. Somerville. 

Tickets — Archie Engle, chairman; Harry 
Brown and Carroll Dikeman. 

Reception — J. B. Fitzgerald, chairman; 
Harry Bachman, Robert Denton, Dr. Frank 
Bernard. Ned Bord, John Chevalier, Fred 
Rohrs and Phil Erchler. 

Publicity — Ray Bell, chairman; Nelson 
B. Bell, Andrew Kelley and Jay Carmody. 

Printing — Sam Wheeler, chairman; Nate 
Sauber, Sam Flax and C. MacGowan. 

Program — Sidney Lust, chairman; Floyd 
Akers, George Crouch, Eddie Melniker and 
Fred Kogod. 

Decorations — Charles Schulman, chair- 
man; Herbert Sauber, Jules James, Nat 
Glasser and Allan Bachrach. 

Talent Hosts — Edmund Plohn, chair- 
man; Dr. Frank T. Shyne and Adlai Mann. 

Joseph Makover will be in charge of 
reservations and Eddie Fontaine will be 
Variety’s contact man with out-of-town 
guests. 


Get Behind "Wings" 

New York — “Men Wtih Wings,” open- 
ing day-and-date in 21 key cities, will be 
backed by a $100,000 advertising cam- 
paign in those spots, according to Para- 
mount. Robert M. Gillham, assisted by 
Alec Moss, Hal Danson and Karl Kruger, 
will handle most of the eastern dates 
and Cliff Lewis and Jack Dailey the coast 
and western dates. 


Goes to Savini 

New York — R. M. Savini of Astor Pic- 
tures has taken over “The Gay Nineties,” 
a film and not the New York night club, 
for distribution. Bert Goldberg represent- 
ed International Road Shows, Inc., in the 
deal. 


Opens October 21 

New York — The Irish Theatre in the 
Times Square area opens October 21 with 
“Rose of Tralee.” 



24-D 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


Paramount Awards 
Exploitation Prizes 


New York — Five hundred dollar prizes 
go to six domestic and one foreign theatre 
manager in Paramount’s $5,000 advertis- 
ing and exploitation contest in connection 
with the “Paramount on Parade” drive. 

Top money winners are: Charles B. 
Taylor, Shea’s Buffalo, Buffalo, in the 
Class A division; S. P. Dean, Rialto, Ta- 
coma, Class B; Jerry Greenebaum, Rialto, 
Clinton, la., Class C; Harold Armistead, 
Lyric, Easley, S. C., Class C; a special 
division for the best campaign in neigh- 
borhood and subsequent houses to Samuel 
A. Coolick, Loew’s Triboro, Long Island 
City, N. Y.; and in the foreign field, J. 
Castro Ramos, Cine Plaza, Rio de Janeiro, 
Brazil. 

Other winners are: 

Class A: John Hardgrove, Loew’s Broad, 
Columbus, O., $250; Ray Bell, Loew’s 
Capitol, Washington, $150; and John H. 
Ecols, Denham, Denver, Colo., $100. 

Class B: Roscoe Drissell, Loew’s State, 
Norfolk, Va., $250 and Allen Sparrow, 
Loew’s Richmond, Richmond, Va., $150. 

Class C: Bob Fulton, Paramount, Water- 
loo, la., $250; “Doc” Elliot, Ohio, Lima, 
Ohio, $150, and Frank W. Miller, Metro- 
politan, Morgantown, W. Va., $100. 

Class D: Carter H. English, Majestic, 
Centerville, la., $250; J. R. McKinlay, New 
Grand, International Falls, Minn., $150, 
and L. A. Maher, Roxy, Medicine Hat, Al- 
berta, $100. 

Runnerup in the campaign for neigh- 
borhood and subsequent spots is R. J. 
Stumbo, Hollywood, Salem, Ore., $250. 

The other foreign prize winner is L. 
Durban-Long, Capitol Cinema, Lanca- 
shire, England, $250. 

Campaigns of domestic and foreign 
prize winners will now be compared for 
the International Plaque, emblematic of 
the best campaign. 

Certificates of award went to the fol- 
lowing theatres: Grand, Shanghai, China; 
Bonton Za, Osaka, Japan; Prince Edward, 
Sydney, Australia; Capitol, Manila, and 
the Regent, Palmerstown, N. Z. 


Bingo Termed Violation 
Kentucky Lottery Laws 

Frankfort, Ky. — Assistant Attorney 
General J. K. Lewis has ruled the game of 
Bingo violates the State constitutional pro- 
vision against lotteries. 

He previously had held the 1938 Gen- 
eral Assembly’s act designed to legalize 
Bank Night was unconstitutional, and he 
declared “it is our opinion that Bingo 
is illegal and unconstitutional for the same 
reason that Bank Night schemes are il- 
legal and unconstitutional. Section 226 of 
the Constitution prohibits lotteries and gift 
enterprises.” 

The ruling on Bingo, a game used by 
some churches and fraternal organiza- 
tions as a means of distributing prizes, 
was given in response to a query from the 
Rev. William S. Smythe, Washington, Ky. 


BROADWAY 


(Continued from page 24-B> 

Skirball got back from the coast over the 
weekend . . . Gordon White attended the 
Chicago Grand National sales sessions as 
well as the local two-day meetings con- 
ducted by Eddie Alperson . . . John Nathan, 
managing director for Paramount in the 
Argentine, is visiting the studios after con- 
lerences with home office executives . . . 
Frank Seltzer, Hal Roach’s studio public- 
ity chief, is here for the opening of “There 
Goes My Heart” at the Music Hall. 

Jack Barnstyn will accompany E. W. 
Hammons to London in about a week or 
so . . . John Mark, story editor in London 
j or Paramount, arrived on the Queen Mary 
Monday and sailed two days later on the 
same boat tor home . . . J. P. O’Loghlin, 
Canadian district manager for 20 th-Fox, 
has been around the home office the last 
jew days . . . Lou Wechsler, UA New 
Haven branch manager, was in town with 
Al Dow and Martin Harris, of the State, 
Hartford, looking over the Broadway sites 
between film deals . . . Sabu, and his two 
bodyguards, have gone back to London 
after a hectic three-week swing of the 
country . . . Dailey Paskman and Sigmund 
Spaeth have sold their story, “Gentlemen 
Be Seated” to M-G-M . . . Tom Neal and 
Jack Carlton, stock players, are now work- 
ing for M-G-M at the studios. 

Irving Lesser has returned from a Flori- 
da vacation . . . Al Lichtman says he loves 
good old New York. The day after he 
arrived he went to the races. California’s 
golf courses are his main attraction on 
the coast . . . Harry Goetz and Max Gor- 
don have been doing a lot of traveling 
lately, catching new shows. The first was 
the debut of “Knickerbocker Holiday” at 
Boston, followed by the opening in Wash- 
ington of “Abe Lincoln in Illinois.” 

Mort Spring tendered Arthur Loew a 
farewell party at his home before the 
generalissimo of M-G-M foreign affairs 
left for South America. Present were 
Loew’s mother, Mrs. Max Mischenheimer , 


the Oscar Doobs, the Harry Goetzes, the 
Lou Breeders, Dr. and Mrs. Emanuel Stern, 
Louis Chatain, Joe Vogel , Dave Blum and 
Mervin Ash, among others . . . Irving Ber- 
lin got back from London on the lie de 
France . . . Ethel Merman has been set in 
“Swing to the Left,” a musical comedy 
which will hit the Broadway boards shortly. 

Ed Kuykendall caught a glimpse of those 
rapidly developing World’s Fair grounds 
from the front and rear of Charlie Kranz’s 
car. The front seat was routine enough, 
but the rear business came about when 
Kranz’s battery went dead and Kuyken- 
dall had to do a bit of pushing . . . Irving 
Hoffman traveled east on a freighter. 
He wanted to be alone . . . The war scare 
forced the London company of “Golden 
Bey” to close. Now Bob Goldstein is fig- 
uring what he lost in potential profits in 
the expectancy the show would have run 
until February. 

Mrs. Phil Hyams, her two sons, Norman 
and Bernard; her mother and her sister, 
Aim Kramer, are here from London. 
Hyams is the “H” in the H. and G. 
Kinemas, prominent London exhibiting 
company . . . Monroe Greenthal did alright 
on the recent Yale-Columbia gridiron fra- 
cas . . . Marc Lachmann, recently named 
national exploitation director for 20 th Cen- 
tury-Fox, expects to remain here four or 
five weeks and thereafter will divide his 
time between New York and the studio . . . 
Mrs. Mark Ostrer, another London visitor 
. . . Louis de Rochemont, now a Waldorf 
resident. 


Owen Davis jr„ having finished a sum- 
mer in stock at $50 a week at Skowhegan, 
Me., left for Hollywood and the studios 
over the weekend to earn $900 a week 
. . . Julian Schlesinger, head of the British 
interests of the Schlesinger organization, 
is visiting his brother, M. A., for ten days 
. . . A. E. Meyer, International Projector 
general manager, is making a swing of the 
west and far south with stopovers at Na- 
tional Theatre Supply exchanges at var- 
ious points. 


Hits $67,000 

New York — “If I Were King” grossed 
$67,000 in its first week at the Paramount. 
This is the best week at the house since 
the band policy was launched in 1936 with 
the exception of “Wells Fargo” which did 
$69,000 during the Christmas-New Year 
week in 1937. On the current bill are 
Tommy Dorsey and Connie Boswell. 


Rob Lichtman Messengers 

Washington — Two armed bandits held 
up two employes of the Lichtman Theatre 
Co. here last Sunday night, robbing them 
of between $1,000 and $1,500. 


New Organization Move 
For Ushers Is Started 

New York — Another movement is afoot 
to organize ushers in major and indepen- 
dent theatres locally. Exhibitors are aware 
of the offers being made by a union or- 
ganizer, but so far there has been little 
response. Theatre operators are not dis- 
turbed over the latest union development. 

Most recent union organization was the 
porters, cleaners and charwomen who 
formed Local 54. A ten-year pact, pro- 
viding for a maximum 48-hour week, was 
signed providing for arbitration every oth- 
er year. 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


24-E 


Philadelphia's Stationary Theatre 
Attendance Is Made a Concern 


Philadelphia — Despite a national 
spread in income of more than 27 per 
cent in the past five years, Philadelphia 
theatre attendance has only varied one 
per cent in that time. 

This revelation of this city’s theatre 
business was made last Thursday by 
Joseph Bernhard, vice-president and gen- 
eral manager of the Warner circuit, speak- 
ing before the Philadelphia Real Estate 
Board. 

“Theatre attendance is an index of the 
economic health of any city,” Bernhard 
said. 

“Our industry is one of the last to suf- 
fer from a depression and one of the first 
to recover, and when we stand still in an 
area so important as downtown Phila- 
delphia, while the rest of the nation is 
fluctuating upward, you know there is 
something wrong with business conditions 
in the city as compared with the rest of 
the United States, a condition which I 
believe can be cured if the proper reme- 
dies are undertaken by the united busi- 
ness interests of the city.” 

Attendance in downtown theatre, as dis- 
closed by Bernhard from the books of 
Warner Brothers, for the past four years 
were: 

1935 6,345,000 

1936 6,363,000 

1937 6,356,000 

1938 6,401,000 

These figures, Bernhard compared with 

the national incomes for the same years: 

1935 55 billions 

1936 63 billions 

1937 70 billions 

1938 61 billions 

Bernhard urged that a three point pro- 
gram of action be taken by civic interests 
to stimulate business. 

1. Form a “promote Philadelphia com- 
mittee” from all civic and business 
bodies. 

2. Build up civic pride by “selling the 
city.” 

3. Exploit Philadelphia’s advantages. 

Bernhard pledged the cooperation of the 

76 Warner theatres in this city, despite 
the fact that it’s against the company’s 
policy to use the screen for an advertising 
medium. 

Three Summer Theatres 
Dark on Eastern Front 

New York — Closing of three summer 
theatres marked theatre activity in this 
area. 

Those shuttering are B. S. Moss’s Play- 
house, Cedarhurst, L. I., the Boardwalk, 
Asbury Park, N. J., the Lido, Long Branch, 
N. J., and the Drive-In which will reopen 
in April. 

Jack Fields, former Paramount sales- 
man, is now operating the Cameo, Jersey 
City. 

The Broadway, Yonkers, reopens Octo- 
ber 15. Bert Kulick is the principal. 


Go-Getters Tie to 
High Schools 

Newark — To further the interest 
shown by high school students in mo- 
tion picture advertising and exploita- 
tion, Manager Bill Phillips and Pub- 
licist A1 Lippe of Loew's State, have 
launched a high school publicity club. 
Each school assigns one member of 
the school paper or dramatic club to 
attend bi-monthly meetings at Loew's. 
Coming pictures and methods of ex- 
ploiting them are discussed. Each lad 
not only acts as an exploiteer for 
Loew's, but gains valuable practical ex- 
perience in the bargain. 

Grand Nat'l Force 
In Chicago Meet 

(Continued from page 24-A) 

Dunn and Ralph Morgan; “Frontier 
Scout,” featuring George Houston, and 
“Sunset Strip Tease,” starring Sally Rand, 
all of which were screened here for the 
convention; and “Cipher Bureau,” a spy 
story with Leon Ames and Joan Wood- 
bury; and “Titans of the Deep,” a pic- 
turization of the Dr. William Beebe-Otis 
Barton bathysphere expeditions. 

Now in production are “Seven Seas,” 
“Never Mind the Guard,” “Empire of the 
West” featuring George Houston in ex- 
ploits of Billy the Kid, and “Wonder 
World.” 

Other properties announced for produc- 
tion are: “Snow Covered Wagons,” by 
Julia Cooley Altrocci; “Oh Susannah,” 
Bernard McConville’s musical romance; 
“Slave Trader;” “Jitterbug;” Vina Del- 
mar’s “Uptown New York;” Robert Hitch- 
ens’ “Snake Bite;” Gouverneur Morris’ 
“Alimony Racket;” Ursula Parrott’s “Two 
Kinds of Love;” Eugene O’Neill’s “Reck- 
lessness;” Edna Ferber’s “Summer Resort” 
from “Not a Day Over 21;” Rex Beach’s 
“The Racket King” from “Quicksand;” 
Tiffany Thayer’s “Where Lonely Ladies 
Walk;” Sada Cowan’s “What Price Para- 
dise;” Faith Baldwin’s “The Way of All 
Women,” and Martha Stanley’s “My Son.” 

Educational’s two reel comedies will con- 
tinue to feature outstanding names. These 
will include Willie Howard, Buster West 
and Tom Patricola, and the Pat Rooney 
jr.-Herman Timberg jr. team. Thirteen of 
the one-reelers will constitute a new series 
of the Treasure Chest productions, many 
of which have been Academy Award Win- 
ners. The second group of one-reelers, 
13 of them, will feature stars from the 
stage, radio and screen, in a group of 
comedy-musical novelties, titled the “Per- 
sonality Series.” 



^AVE BARRIST is planning to drop his 
fight for the legalization of “Gueso” 
and “Quizo” in the State here and con- 
centrate in territories where games are 
O. K. . . . George Nonamaker was guest 
columnist for Jeff Keen, Daily News pil- 
larist, who broke his leg while covering a 
picture at the Fox Theatre ... A large 
delegation of Vine Streeters is expected 
to attend the opening of the new Main 
Theatre, Ephrata, next Monday, as a 
token of friendship for the Stiefel Broth- 
ers, who will operate the house. 

The Warner chain is having a tremen- 
dous success with the jitterbug contests 
that are being held at key neighborhood 
theatres in conjunction ivith the Daily 
News. Other theatres are following suit. 
The latest are the Runnemede and the 
Fay’s . . . They’re calling them “K. O. 
Kid” Verbin and “ Battling Bill” Rovner 
now following their little setto on Vine 
street the other day ... It was the great- 
est fight seen in these parts since the now 
famous long count fight between Dempsey 
and Tunney . . . Neither of the contestants 
would tell the cause of their little dis- 
agreement. 

The Republic Theatre is readying its 
new exchange on Vine Street for an early 
opening. It’s on the site of the old Colum- 
bia office . . . Leo Posel is planning a new 
house in Frankford. 

Music World Leaders 

Honor Industry, Oct. 31 

New York — The music world will pay 
tribute to the industry the week of Octo- 
ber 31 in observance of “Musical Week of 
Motion Pictures’ Greatest Year.” 

Leading music publishers and dealers, 
orchestra leaders and musical stars will 
combine their resources in featuring old 
and new song hits popularized by films. 
A series of compilations of tunes identi- 
fied with particular pictures known as 
“A Cavalcade of Motion Picture Music” 
is in progress for radio, in hotels, night 
clubs and theatres. 

Ascap is cooperating to the fullest 
extent. The organization is issuing a pic- 
torial layout, in mat form, to be sent to 
3,000 newspapers featuring pictures of 
composers of old theme songs and illus- 
trating hits that films made famous. 

The committee to promote Movie Music 
Week already includes Irving Berlin, Ben 
Bernie, Gene Buck, Henry Busse, Ted 
Lewis, Abe Lyman, George M. Cohan, Leo 
Reisman, Sigmund Romberg, Deems Tay- 
lor, Lou Diamond, J. J. O’Connor, Jack 
Robbins and others. 


Shain to M. P. Daily 

New York — Sam Shain, long a reporter 
for Variety, on Monday joins Motion Pic- 
ture Daily as its editor, filling a vacant 
spot on that publication. 

Floyd Stone, until now with the New 
York State Exhibitor, joins Motion Picture 
Herald. 


24-F 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


Contracts, Rentals 
Up Under Grainger 


Hollywood — The two avowed goals set 
forth by James R. Grainger when he ac- 
cepted the posts of president and general 
sales manager of Republic Pictures, Inc., 
have both been successfully attained dur- 
ing his tenure of office, Grainger revealed 
during the course of his visit to the com- 
pany’s North Hollywood studios. 

Grainger, who pledged himself to in- 
crease the number of circuit contracts and 
to increase film rentals wherever possible, 
declared that 9,000 theatres throughout 
the country have signed Republic con- 
tracts, as compared to 7,000 houses at the 
same time last year, and that income from 
film rentals at present is approximately 
$1,000,000 ahead of the same period in 
1937. 

Product deals, Grainger pointed out, 
have been closed for the 1938-39 season 
with Loew’s and Metro on a nation-wide 
basis; with RKO except in Los Angeles and 
San Francisco, and with Balaban & Katz, 
Butterfield, Interstate of Texas, Schine, 
Golden State of California, Redwood, T&D 
Junior and numerous other smaller 
regional theatre chains. 

Further, Grainger declared, negotiations 
are virtually completed whereby Warners 
will also buy the Republic output. 

“Republic’s business is very healthy, and 
we are making steady progress,” Grainger 
said, adding that in his jaunts around the 
country he has found most exhibitors ex- 
pressing their opinion that Republic’s cur- 
rent product has improved considerably. 

Grainger left Sunday for a two-week 
sales trip to San Francisco, Portland, 
Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, Charlotte, 
N. C„ and New York, where he headquar- 
ters. While here he looked over the 
studio’s current and forthcoming produc- 
tion plans and huddled with M. J. Siegel, 
production chieftain. 


Myers Will Not Assist 

In " Clearance " Action 

Chicago — Reported here among the le- 
gal fraternity was the announcement that 
Allied’s general counsel, Abram F. Myers 
of Washington, might offer his aid and 
assistance to the independent exhibitors 
in their suit on clearance and double 
features against B&K and the majors. 

However, Aaron Stein of Rosenberg, 
Stein and Rosenberg, the independents’ 
counsel, emphatically denied this. 


Hanson E. Ely Jr. 

Washington — Hanson Edward Ely jr., 
Washington business man, died in New 
York last week after an illness of five 
weeks. A native Washingtonian, Mr. Ely 
had spent many years here as a represen- 
tative of Erpi. He also was general mana- 
ger of the Capital Garage and a director 
of the Federal Storage Co. 


He's "Afraid of All 
The Lights" 

New York — Ed Kuykendall knows all 
the answers to reporters' questions. 
The other day, while he was about to 
leave town for Columbus, Miss., a 
BOXOFFICE reporter asked the MPTOA 
head how he was feeling. 

Said Kuykendall: “I'm like the little 
country boy visiting the big city and 
afraid of all the lights." 


Short Subject "Forcing" 
Studied by N. Y. Allied 

New York— Allied of New York sent out 
questionnaires late this week to exhibitors 
of the entire state in regard to the cur- 
rent situation on forcing the sale of shorts. 
Several sales managers, or home office 
sales executives, have stated company 
salesmen do not insist shorts go with fu- 
ture deals. However, to convince some of 
the skeptics not only in the exhibitor or- 
ganization, but also to prove to sales ex- 
ecutives that there may be a difference of 
opinion, the Allied unit will announce the 
full results at the annual New Jersey con- 
vention in Atlantic City. 

Details of the questionnaire are being 
held secret until a final tabulation is 
made. The results may be used for 
negotiation with certain major company 
sales executives. 

Max A. Cohen, president of the local 
unit, is expected to play an important part 
at the Jersey three-day gathering at the 
Ritz Carlton Hotel. He is planning to 
hold the second New York convention 
sometime in May at the Astor Hotel here. 
This year, his members are joining with 
Irving Dollinger and the New Jersey asso- 
ciation on a general understanding rela- 
tive to the government suit, the theatre 
divorcement bill in North Dakota, the 
Neely Bill on sales policies. A survey and 
analysis of every company’s output will 
be revealed at the Atlantic City sessions. 


Mgers Expected to 
Appeal for Plaints 

Atlantic City — Abram F. Myers, sched- 
uled as one of the speakers at the Allied 
of New Jersey’s annual convention here 
October 19-21, is expected to appeal di- 
rectly to exhibitors with complaints against 
major circuits and distributors to file such 
“charges” with the department of justice 
in Washington without delay. Only cases 
of recent history will be sought, it is 
understood. In addition, the Neely bill, 
the North Dakota theatre divorcement law 
and film buying will be aired. 

About 200 theatre owners are slated 
to attend. Nathan Yamins, national presi- 
dent, will be on hand. Irving Dollinger, 
president of the New Jersey unit, will be 
re-elected without opposition, it is indi- 
cated. The organization is said to be sat- 
isfied with Dollinger and the work he has 
done during his tenure of office. 

The annual banquet will be held October 
20. Before the banquet will be a cocktail 
party for all visitors. As usual, a number 
of events have been lined up for women. 
There also will be a trade show with vari- 
ous new types of theatre equipment ac- 
cessories on display. 


Fleischer Gains Point 

In Union Negotiations 

New York — Negotiations for a settle- 
ment of the union situation as regards Max 
Fleischer and animators were completed 
over the weekend with the understanding 
artists can be hired on an individual basis. 
Fleischer declined to enforce a closed shop 
at his new Miami studios and has held to 
the stipulation he will employ animators as 
he needs them, regardless of union affilia- 
tion. 


Nature Study , East and West 


Putnam, Conn. — Carphophis amoena 
amoena, pronounced “pink snake," the 
sober variety, differing from “carpho- 
phis spiritus frumenti." or alcoholic 
pink snake, has been seen in broad 
daylight here. 

The pink snakes. — long a drunkard's 
dream — were caught by David Denis, 
11 -year old twin son of Armand Denis, 
Belgian explorer. When David in- 
formed daddy he had seen a pink 
snake daddy immediately took inven- 
tory of the beverage closet. Next day 
David reported two more. An inspec- 
tion by daddy followed. 

An authority on reptiles, daddy pro- 
nounced them "carphophis amoena 
amoena," the only pink snake that can 
be seen by a member of the Anti-Sa- 
loon League. 


Hollywood — “Coach hoop racer" is 
another name for a poisonous king 
cobra that gets a distinguished niche in 
Hollywood's Hall of Fame for being the 
first snake ever to act as a stand-in. 

The reptile has been brought here 
from Texas by Tay Garnett for a scene 
in a new film. There's a bit where a 
poisonous cobra wriggles onto a piano 
which Fredric March is playing. Joan 
Bennett is close by. 

It seems Miss Bennett and March 
were a bit squeamish about rehearsing 
the scene with a genuine, posionous 
snake, so a herpetologist was called in. 
The answer was a “coach hoop racer," 
non-poisonous, resembling a cobra and 
extremely patient. The stand-in will be 
used for rehearsals, and at the last 
possible moment the real cobra will 
go in. 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


24-G 



•pHE Isis Theatre, Wilmer & Vincent 

house closed about 15 years, is being 
repaired and renovated for an early open- 
ing . . . Floyd Stawls, manager of the 
Carillon, has returned from his vacation 
in Norfolk, his home town . . . Mr. and 
Mrs. Sam Gordon are planning a vaca- 
tion this month, spending part of it on 
Skyline Drive . . . “The Birth of a Baby” 
is cleaning up at the Capitol. 

Work has started on the new theatre in 
Tappahannock to be operated by the Daw 
Corp. Edivard F. Sinnott of Richmond is 
architect. The 550-seat house, expected to 
be ready for Christmas week, will be man- 
aged by R. B. Wallace . . . Out of town 
folks who visited Richmond last week in- 
cluded Jerry Murphy, Bob Campbell, Ben 
Caplon, Olmstead Knox, Art Jacobson, El- 
bert Grover, Brock Whitlock and Harley 
Davidson, from Washington; N. C. Haefele, 
Baltimore, and J . C. Caldwell, Appomattox. 

Harley Davidson, Paramount salesman 
in this territory, received fourth prize of 
$350 in the Paramount “Around the 
World” drive . . . Sam Gordon had a real 
Punch and Judy show over at the Venus 
the other Saturday. He also had a Me- 
chanical Man in the lobby of the Venus 
recently . . . Alex Ravdin, manager of the 
Capitol Theatre, and David Kamsky, ad- 
vertising manager for Neighborhood The- 
atres, spent several days in New York. 

The Social Club of Neighborhood The- 
atres started its fall activities with a Bingo 
party at the Venus last Saturday night. 
Among those on hand were: Bob Coulter 
and George Stitzer, from the Byrd; Bill 
Ballenger, Horace Kelley, "Pop” Williams, 
from the Grand; Jane Taylor, Garrett 
Leahey, from the State; Stewart Tucker, 
Mildred Ament, Neal Patton, Al Aarons, 
Pete Whitmore and Cleveland Williamson, 
from the Westhampton. 

Would Loan Bette Davis 
For Role of " Scarlett " 

New York — What may be the final solu- 
tion to the question “Who will play the 
part of Scarlett O’Hara,” is indicated by 
Jack L. Warner, who said before sailing 
on the Cunard White Star liner Queen 
Mary. 

“If the public acclaim for Bette Davis 
continues, we may give her up for the 
part even though it means a financial loss 
to the studio.” 

With that as the farewell word, Warner 
sailed for a month’s trip abroad. He ar- 
rives in time to attend the opening of the 
new Warner theatre in London Wednes- 
day. 

Warner asserted firmly the company was 
not contemplating production outside of 
England. He added the program at the 
Teddington studios calls for 20 pictures 
with the same schedule slated for 1939-40. 

Also sailing, but not listed, was J. Cheever 
Cowdin, chairman of the board of Uni- 
versal, who admitted he was going over 
to attend to some unfinished business and 
take “a much-needed rest.” Cowdin would 
not comment on the report that the task 
of floating another British loan is the 
reason for the trip. 


Seven Theatre Changes 
Listed in New York Area 

New York — Seven acquisitions paced 
theatre activity here this week. 

New operators are: Irving Liss, Beach, 
Bronx; Sally Koch, Bobby, Brooklyn; Mor- 
ris Kostisker, Gem formerly Adelphi, 
Brooklyn; Sam Milburg, Family, Water- 
vliet, N. Y.; E. Siegel and Sam Schill, 
Grace, Brooklyn; Charles Freeman, Metro 
formerly Fort Lee, N. J.; and George 
Stamatis, Momart, Brooklyn. 

The Garden, Princeton, N. J., has re- 
opened. The Rose, Manhattan, has closed. 

Charles Roberts Stops 
In Mexico City on Trip 

Mexico City — Charles Roberts, Colum- 
bia’s newly appointed home office super- 
visor for the Latin-American countries, ar- 
rived by plane over the weekend from 
Dallas on the start of a three-month tour 
of the branches in Central and South 
America. Roberts, who has been carry- 
ing on the duties of his new job for the 
past few months, will visit 12 countries. 


Special "Suez" Short 

New York — Having made a special 
trailer with Ripley and in sepia tone on 
“Suez,” 20th-Fox has 200 prints of the 
one-reel subject which are being made 
available to accounts gratis, the under- 
standing being that exhibitors advertise 
the subject as a short and not as a trailer. 


"Sonata” to 20th Week 

Boston — “Moonlight Sonata,” first mo- 
tion picture in which Paderewski has ap- 
peared, has gone into a 20th week at 
the Fine Arts Theatre. 


. REVIEW 



FLASHES * 


DOWN ON THE FARM (20th-Fox)— Abounds 
in that homely humor and thrills charac- 
terizing the adventures of the Jones Fam- 
ily, this time with rural atmosphere. Pic- 
ture is splendid general audience enter- 
tainment. John Stone produced. Malcolm 
St. Clair directed. 

MAD MISS MANTON, THE (RKO)— -Snail- 
paced comedy murder mystery whose im- 
pressive production mounting, occasional 
veins of genuine humor and potentially 
fine cast are completely bogged down in a 
maze of overdrawn, overlong and trite 
situations. The leading parts are badly 
suited to the respective talents of Barbara 
Stanwyck and Henry Fonda. Produced by 
P. J. Wolfson. Directed by Leigh Jason. 

COMPLETE REVIEWS on the above 
pictures will appear in an early issue 
of BOXOFFICE. 



10-YEAR-OLD BOY who “only wanted 
to see the show” was “rescued” by 
police from the roof of the Savoy here. A 
misstep would have sent the youngster 
down five stories . . . Police are holding 
three youths for allegedly rifling the Queen 
Theatre safe of $85 on September 10. They 
are also charged- with forcing open sev- 
eral vending machines in Ben Shindler’s 
Ace. 

Cyril Snyder is taking over his duties 
while Robert H. Ripple, Loew’s Theatre 
artist, vacations at his Georgia home . . . 
Oscar Doob, Loew’s advertising -publicity 
director, accompanied by his wife, visited 
here with his brother and sister-in-law, 
Mr. and Mrs. Edgar J. Doob. E. J. man- 
ages Loew’s Theatre. 

The Plaza, Milford, reportedly has been 
sold to the Schine circuit . . . Layton 
Ayers, son of T. E. Ayers, manager of the 
Sussex, Georgetown, and the Palace, Sea- 
ford, is a patient in a Philadelphia hos- 
pital. He recently underwent an opera- 
tion for a throat ailment. 


20th-Fox Production 

Hits Half-Way Mark 

New York — Production at 20th Cen- 
tury-Fox has almost reached the half-way 
mark, according to Sidney R. Kent, presi- 
dent, on his return from a two-week visit 
to the coast. “We are ahead of releases 
and have our schedule completed up until 
January,” he added. 

There are no changes contemplated in 
the company’s British production plans. 
However, there is a possibility Kent may 
sail for England next month to meet Wal- 
ter J. Hutchinson, foreign head, on his way 
back from South Africa. This depends, 
according to Kent, on developments in the 
next two or three weeks. He would not 
discuss the nature of developments which 
would actuate his sailing. 

The 20th-Fox head indicated that ad- 
vertising for “Suez” will be concentrated in 
newspapers rather than on the radio as in 
the case of “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” 
Now that the war scare is over, Kent re- 
ported a “lift” in European business. He 
said the increase was noted as soon as the 
dove of peace hovered over Munich. 


Eleventh Birthday for 

Capitol in Washington 

Washington — Loew’s Capitol Theatre is 
celebrating its eleventh birthday. 

The occasion is marked by double jubi- 
lation, Loew’s Division Manager Carter 
Barron, Capitol Manager Howard Burk- 
hardt, Production Manager Gene Ford 
hosting the critics at a birthday party and 
at the same time celebrating the new at- 
tendance record set last week by “Boys 
Town.” 

First opened by Roxy as the Fox, later 
becoming Loew’s Fox, now Loew’s Capitol, 
the palatial F Street house has played to 
more than 30,000,000 film fans since its 
doors were opened in 1927. 


24-H 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


OPINIONS ON CURRENT FEATURE PRODUCTIONS 


?<evleur5 



BOXOFFICE 


October 8, 1938 


25 


cLxpLoitijai 


SUGGESTIONS 


S E LLING THE PICTURE 


AIDS 



26 


BOXOFFICE 


October 8, 1938 



PRACTICAL IDEAS BY PRACTICAL SHOWMEN 


£eUinj Seats 


Ten Companies Effect Book 

Tie With Cleveland Library 


Cleveland — Working with ten companies, 
the Cleveland Public Library has on dis- 
play a number of books which film studios 
already have adapted or are now making 
into screen fare. 

The books, available to the public 
through 33 subsidiary branches, are on dis- 
play, together with stills of stars appear- 
ing in film versions of the books, in the 
city’s main Public Library. 

Companies figuring in the tieup include 
M-G-M, 20th Century-Fox, RKO, Para- 
mount, Columbia, United Artists, Warner 
Bros., Universal, Republic and GB. 

Books already made into motion pictures 
and in heavy demand are: “Good Earth,” 
“Lost Horizon,” “Prisoner of Zenda,” 
“Captains Courageous,” “Hurricane,” 
“Stella Dallas” and “Life of Emile Zola.” 

Since the filmization of “Tovarich,” 
“Stage Door” and “Room Service,” there 
has been an increasing demand for read- 
ing material on plays, library officials re- 
port. 

Following, by companies, are the books, 
with authors, now on display which will 
be made into motion pictures: 

METRO-GOLD WYN-MAYER 

‘‘The American Flaggs,” by Kathleen Norris; 
"Three Loves,” A. J. Cronin; "The Strolling 
Saint.” Sabatini; “Northwest Passage,” Kenneth 
Roberts; "The Citadel,” A. J. Cronin; "The Year- 
ling,” Marjorie Rawlings; “The Foundry,” Albert 
Halper; "They Seek a Country,” Francis Young; 
"Court House Square," Hamilton Basso; “And So— 
Victoria," Vaughan Wilkins; “Gone With the 
Wind,” Margaret Mitchell; “Sea of Grass,” 
Conrad Richter; “Great Laughter,” Fannie Hurst; 
“Quo Vadis,” Sienkiewicz; “20,000 Leagues Under 
the Sea,” Jules Verne; "Soldiers Three,” Rudyard 
Kipling; “Spur of Pride,” Christopher Wren; 
"Forsythe Saga,” John Galsworthy; “Kim,” Rud- 
yard Kipling; "National Velvet,” Enid Bagnold; 
"Goodbye Mr. Chips,” James Hilton, and "Pride 
and Prejudice,” Jane Austen. 

WARNER BROS. 

“Sea Wolf,” Jack London; "Changeling,” Donna 
Byrne; "Forgive Us Our Trespasses,” Lloyd C. 
Douglas; "Valley of the Giants,” Peter B. Kyne; 
"The Gambler,” Dostoievski; “A Prayer for My 
Son,” Hugh Walpole; “Phantom Crown,” Bertita 
Harding; "The Story of San Michele,” Axel 
Munthe, and “We Are Not Alone,” James Hilton. 

UNIVERSAL 

“Live Alone and Like It,” Marjorie Hillis; 
“Water Gypsies," A. P. Herbert; “Man in the 
Iron Mask,” Alexander Dumas; “Of Great Riches,” 
“Rose Franken,” and “Four Feathers,” E. A. W. 
Mason. 

20TH-FOX 

“King of the Khyber Rifles,” Talbot Mundy; 
“Drums Along the Mohawk," Walter Edmonds; 
“David Livingstone,” Charles Finger, and “The 
Suez Canal,” Arnold Wilson. 

PARAMOUNT 

“The Light That Failed," Rudyard Kipling; “If 
I Were King,” Justin McCarthy; “Sixteen Hands,” 
Homer Croy, and “Mysterious Rider,” Zane Grey. 

RKO RADIO 

“Saint Overboard,” Leslie Charteris and 
“Gunga Din,” Rudyard Kipling. 

REPUBLIC 

“Two Years Before the Mast,” Richard Dane 
and “Evangeline,” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. 

UNITED ARTISTS 

“The Jungle Book,” Rudyard Kipling. 

COLUMBIA 

“Of Lena Geyer,” Marcia Davenport. 

GB 

“Rob Roy," Sir Walter Scott. 


NUGGETS 

VENTRILOQUIST contest was staged 
at the Loew’s Valencia, Jamaica, L. I., 
to plug “Letter of Introduction.” Amateur 
ventriloquists were invited to come up on 
the stage and do their stuff from a 
specially prepared script. A McCarthy 
dummy doll was also furnished. 

• 

Manager Victor Meyer of the Orpheum, 
New Orleans, originated a service card 
idea, hooking up with hotels during the 
run of “Room Service.” Several thousand 
cards were placed in the leading New Or- 
leans hotels. 

• 

Regular 25-cent souvenir booklets were 
given free to the first 100 patrons at- 
tending “Marie Antoinette” at Loew’s, 
Rochester, as part of the campaign Lester 
Pollock put over. 

• 

For an advance buildup of “The Citadel,” 
exhibitors would do well to take advantage 
of the novel which hit the quarter of mil- 
lion mark in sales and which is known in 
the book trade as a “best seller." Grab 
tieups with department and book stores. 

• 

An endorsement by the bishop of the 
Catholic diocese in which Scranton is 
located, was obtained for “Boys Town” by 
Willard Matthews, manager of the Strand. 
All Catholics were urged to see the picture. 
• 

Not awaiting reconstruction before re- 
suming exploitation, following the hurri- 
cane which recently hit the New England 
states, was the Orpheum Theatre in 
Bridgeport, Conn. The house effected a 
tieup with the Times-Star, offering two 
passes to “ You Can’t Take It With You” 
to authors of winning letters, describing 
humor and pathos experienced during the 
storm. 


"Bogs Town" Stunt 
Gets Liberal Space 

Rochester, N. Y. — A publicity plum was 
engineered by Lester Pollock, Loew’s man- 
ager, when a personal phone interview 
was landed with Father Flanagan, creator 
of Boys Town. The interview was ar- 
ranged by David Kessler, managing edi- 
tor of the Rochester Evening News who 
listened in on the discussion between 
Father Flanagan and Dorothy Krause. 

The story was good for a column ac- 
companied by an art layout. Father Flana- 
gan was very much impressed over the 
interview and stated so along with the 
comment that this was the first occasion 
for an interview in conjunction with 
“Boys Town.” 

In addition, the newspaper staged a 
“Bad Boy” letter contest. Discussion was 
based on the question of whether boys are 
permanently bad or is their misconduct 
really the fault of bad environment or 
lack of proper adult understanding. 

Santa Barbara Granada 
Stages a " Yam Session ' 

Santa Barbara — The kids were given one 
more flight of fun before school opened 
up here when Manager Howard Ralston 
of the Granada staged a “Yam Session.” 
To every boy and girl who brought two 
yams to the “Mickey Mouse” show free 
tickets were given in exchange for the 
showing of “Carefree.” 

Merchants benefited by the sale of yams 
at two for a cent which were then dis- 
tributed among Santa Barbara’s needy. 


Seattle Exhibitor Ties Up 
With Races lor " Algiers " 

Seattle — All eight races at the Long- 
acre Park here were named after “Algiers,” 
its stars and the theatre, in a stunt pro- 
moted by Sammy Seigel of the Liberty. 

The listings were carried in all local 
newspapers as well as in the racing charts 
of papers throughout the country. 



HATS 

DECORATIONS 


HALLOWEEN 


FAVORS 
NOISEM AKERS 


HATS $1.00 Per 100 

HORNS $1.00 Per 100 

BALLOONS $1.00 Per 100 

CRICKETS $1.00 Per 100 

BLOWOUTS $1.00 Per 100 


F. O. B. 


301 W. 9th St. 


Kansas City 

OPTICAN 


Serpentine $2.90 Per 100 Pkg-s. 

Noisemalcers, Asst $2.00 Per 100 

Skeletons $ .72 Per Doz. 

Cat Cutouts $ .72 Per Doz 

Witches $ .72 Per Doz. 

Write for Complete Catalog. 

BROTHERS 

Kansas City, Mo. 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


27 


PRACTICAL IDEAS BY PRACTICAL SHOWMEN 


Selling J?eat5 


A Systematic and Thorough 
Procedure for Trade's Drive 


New York — Allowing for individual initi- 
ative, a systematic and thorough procedure 
for theatre operators to follow in selling 
Motion Pictures’ Greatest Year is an- 
nounced in a bulletin issued from campaign 
headquarters here. 

The bulletin also reports the near com- 
pletion of “The World Is Yours,” a spe- 
cial short subject which will be issued free 
to those taking part in the drive as well 
as a forthcoming National Music Week 
dedicated to the campaign. 

The procedure recommended for theatre 
managers in conducting campaigns fol- 
lows, in detail: 

1. Hearty cooperation with regional ex- 
ploitation committees. 

2. Use movie quiz seal in all advertise- 
ments in daily papers, weeklies, heralds, 
billboard advertising, radio programs. Spot 
“Movie Quiz” programs, cooperative news- 
paper advertising. Decorate front of the- 
atre and lobby. And secure proclamations 
by governors and mayors and endorsement 


Hand "Drums" and Sabu 
Big Music Hall SendoH 

New York — The United Artists publicity 
boys beat up things in a grand style for 
the Music Hall engagement of “Drums.” 
As the spearhead of the campaign, the 
young East Indian actor, Sabu, was 
brought to this country. 

His arrival earned breaks in all metro- 
politan dailies. He appeared on three 
nation-wide broadcasts, the Rudy Vallee 
hour, the “For Men Only” program and the 
Magic Key show. Sabu then made a 
transcontinental visit to the coast. Upon 
his return, he was received by Mrs. Roose- 
velt at the White House. 

Pre-release national advertising was 
launched in magazines catering to an es- 
timated audience of 23,000,000. Life and 
Pic devoted multi-page spreads to the pic- 
ture. More than 2000 24-sheets were 
posted for the Music Hall showing here. 

Displays, 20x30, were posted on the bulle- 
tin boards of the reading rooms of all li- 
braries in the metropolitan area. Heads 
of history departments in local high schools 
were invited to a special screening after 
which they posted displays on school bulle- 
tin boards. 

Macy’s capitalized on the turban worn 
by Sabu and suggested a new ideal in 
women’s fall hats. Bloomingdale’s turned 
over one of their windows, using as the 
theme the Drums perfume by Charbert. 
Canadian Pacific had a “See India via 
Canadian Pacific” display. Other stores 
featured Sabu in tieups. 


by chambers of commerce and other busi- 
ness organizations. 

(a) If space is too small for movie 
quiz seal, use a line referring to the 
contest or to Motion Pictures’ Great- 
est Year. 

3. Use lobby displays available at acces- 
sory headquarters, calling attention to the 
movie quiz and Motion Pictures’ Greatest 
Year. 

4. Use trailers on screen as many audi- 
ences do not yet know the details of the 
movie quiz contest. It is important not to 
saturate the screen with messages, making 
audiences impatient. 

5. Enthusiastic and free distribution of 
movie quiz booklets is very important. It 
must be remembered that, in addition to 


RKO (Issue 2 — Vol. 5) 19 Minutes 

The March of Time has stumbled slight- 
ly in its applaudable desire to keep well 
abreast of current events. Although it 
still maintains its high standard of pic- 
torial journalism, the rapid-moving condi- 
tions in Europe have taken much of the 
punch out of the subject dealing with Bri- 
tain’s dilemma. It has the virtue of being 
illuminating in presenting an analysis of 
Britain’s foreign policy. But it adds noth- 
ing new. The opening topic cites the 
progress that has been accomplished in the 
scientific study of fire losses. Fire control 
activities of “U. S. Fire Fighters” traces 
to the efforts of Franklin H. Wentworth, 
leading fire prevention expert. The city of 
Memphis is used to show how modern 
methods can reduce fire damage. 

The Great Big Cat and the 
Little Mouse 

Universal (Oswald Cartoon) 7 Minutes 
The only thing that distinguishes this 
cartoon is the length of the title. But 
even that won’t suffice for the calibre 
of its entertainment. The cartoon is an 
account of a smart alecky mouse who 
makes fun of the big cat and gets away 
with it. Strictly in the juvenile class. 


Stranger Than Fiction 

Universal (No. 55) 914 Minutes 

No dearth of the unusual here. A lot 
more of the stuff that already has es- 
tablished itself as entertaining for audi- 


inducing people to enter the movie quiz 
contest and to come back to your theatre, 
this booklet is a splendid herald for future 
productions. Most patrons study them and 
will undoubtedly be reminded to return 
for a number of pictures referred to in 
them. Many theatres are equipping ush- 
ers with a small canvas bag imprinted with 
“Movie Quiz Booklets” on the outside so 
that it is very easy for any patron to 
secure one of them. 

6. When press departments send credits 
of current pictures to reviewers and edi- 
tors of the daily papers, please have them 
include in these credits the line, “A Movie 
Quiz Picture.” 

7. In preparing feature stories for pro- 
gram changes, include a line referring to 
Motion Pictures’ Greatest Year as a part 
of the story. It can be done logically with- 
out seeming to be dragged in if a little 
ingenuity is exercised. By this means al- 
most every feature story in the Saturday 
and Sunday papers can be turned into a 
feature story for Motion Pictures’ Greatest 
Year. 


ences. The latest issue contains items 
about a place in Pennsylvania where the 
ducks literally walk on the back of fish. 
Then a chap who plays music with a bal- 
loon. The scene shifts to Paris where 
artificial flowers are made. A woman 
blacksmith is the subject of the next se- 
quence. Next are a couple of enterprising 
chaps, one who makes mud pay and the 
other who shows the practicability of rais- 
ing silkworms. Another inventive chap 
shows an iron lung made from used parts. 
A trick bird. Topper, who demonstrates 
how he pulls in his lunch, winds up the 
proceedings. 


Red Barry 

Universal (Serial — 13 Chap.) 20 Minutes 
Larry (Buster) Crabbe brings that pop- 
ular comic strip detective Red Barry to life 
in a serial which has all the red-blooded 
action and suspense the youngsters dote 
on. Evaluated from a glimpse at the first 
three chapters, there are sufficient thrills 
spaced accordingly to have them coming 
back until Barry closes his case. Sinister 
Chinatown is used as background in which 
intrigue runs amuck. A group of Chinese 
plan to spend two milllion on planes to 
help their countrymen, but. a Russian girl 
claims the sum as her own and another 
gang are anxious for its possession. Mur- 
der results and Red Barry is called in 
on the case. Each chapter ends with Barry 
in a desperate situation. Frances Robinson 
is cast in the role of a newspaper reporter. 
Ford Beebe and Alan James directed. 
Showmen should take advantage of the ex- 
ploitation tieups inherent in the cartoon 
strip. 


SHORT SUBJECT REVIEWS 


March of Time 


28 


BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1938 




INTER. 


NEWS 


(Hollywood, Office — Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.; Ivan Spear, Western Manager) 


DIRECTOR-PRODUCER BATTLE IN LAST ROUND 


Testimony Before NLRB 
Goes Into Sixth 
Week 


Characterized by the same wealth of 
testimony from studio executives and 
lower-bracket employes, the see-saw bat- 
tle between the Screen Directors Guild 
and the producers before the national 
labor relations board was in its sixth — 
and what was expected to be its final — 
week. Producer attorneys completed ex- 
amination of their witnesses, SDG coun- 
sel offered rebuttal on Wednesday and 
Trial Examiner William Ringer indicated 
that summation of attorneys for both sides 
would be presented early next week. 

While the SDG’s dual petition, charg- 
ing producers with unfair labor practices 
and requesting certification as exclusive 
bargaining agent for directors, assistant 
directors and unit managers was nearing 
its close, however, another top talent union 
— the Screen Writers Guild — moved into 
still another phase of its years-old bat- 
tle for recognition. SWG attorneys and 
film producer representatives were to 
meet Thursday at the NLRB offices to 
discuss with Dr. Towne Nylander, the 
labor board’s regional director, the SWG 
petition charging the major studios with 
unfair labor tactics on the ground that 
producers have consistently refused to 
negotiate a working pact despite the fact 
that the Guild has received NIRB certifi- 
cation as sole bargaining agent. 

To Decide a Complaint 

After the conference, Dr. Nylander was 
to decide whether to issue formal com- 
plaints against the producers. In the event 
he so decides the issue will be raised at 
an NLRB hearing and with little doubt 
will find its way into court for a lengthy 
legal battle. 

Pinal testimony in the SDG hearing cen- 
tered around several directors and assist- 
ant directors, who attempted to refute the 
testimony of producers that assistants are 
not permitted to shoot scenes, the pro- 
ducers for this reason contending that the 
SDG membership should not properly in- 
clude either assistant directors or unit 
managers. Nate Watt, Phillip Karlstein, 
Richard Harlan, Ralph Slosser, C. C. Cole- 
man, George Templeton and others took 
the stand for the SDG. Earlier, B. B. 


Kahane, vice-president of Columbia, testi- 
fied as the producers’ final witness. He 
was preceded by such studio executives as 
E. J. Mannix of Metro; Val Paul, Uni- 
versal; Charles Chic, production manager 
at Metro; Reeves Espy, vice-president of 
Samuel Goldwyn, Inc., and Fred Leahy, 
production supervisor at Paramount. 

Disclosed during the hearing was 
Metro’s report that, during the fiscal year 
1937, $32,000,000 was spent in motion pic- 
ture production. Universal reported an 
expenditure of $10,000,000 during the same 
period. 

Meantime the SWG’s executive board 
met to hear the report of its nominating 
committee of progress being made in se- 
lecting a slate of officers who will come 
up for election at a general meeting No- 
vember 9. Mary McCall jr., is chairman 
of the nominating committee. 


Labor Board Schedule 
Loaded With Extra Work 

The manifold complexities and turmoils 
within Hollywood’s labor organizations re- 
flected themselves in the busy schedules 
at the national labor relations board head- 
quarters, where several important de- 
velopments affecting a number of studio 
labor unions were due to be acted upon. 

To settle a long-standing jurisdictional 
dispute between the Motion Picture 
Painters Local, 644, and the Scenic Art- 
ists Association of America, both of which 
organizations claim control over film 
scenic artists, Dr. Towne Nylander, 
regional director of the NLRB, tentatively 
set October 8 as the date for a consent 
election at which the scenic artists were 
to be allowed to choose their bargaining 
agent. Herbert Sorrell, business manager 
of the Painters, Don Martin, of the Scenic 
Artists Association and Victor Clark, pro- 
ducer-labor contact, agreed to Dr. Ny- 
lander’s election ruling. Some weeks ago 
Sorrell, after conferring with the pro- 
ducers’ association on the dispute, threat- 
ened to call a strike of studio painters if 
the matter was not amicably settled. 

Of a less complicated nature is the 
means decided upon by the NLRB to set- 
tle a jurisdictional dispute between the 
Screen Set Designers, Inc., and the So- 
ciety of Motion Picture Set Designers. Both 
have requested NLRB certification as ex- 
clusive bargaining agents. The labor board 
has decided to check studio payrolls 


Autonomy Status Taken 
On by Five Studio 
Locals 


against the membership lists of both or- 
ganizations for the period from May to 
September and from this determine which 
organization represents a majority. 

Complete withdrawal of the Interna- 
tional Alliance of Theatrical Stage Em- 
ployes from the operations and affairs of 
five studio locals was effected by the 
locals that have completed elections to 
choose officers and directors for their re- 
spective organizations receiving formal 
notice to that effect from Harland Holm- 
den, international vice-president; George 
Sinko, Harry Beatty and B. C. Duvall, all 
IATSE executives who have been serving 
in various capacities here. Locals 37, 695, 
659 and 683 thus don autonomous cloaks 
and begin operations as independent 
studio unions. 

LA Hearing October 14 

At the same time, the board, through 
Dr. Nylander, set October 14 as the date 
for a conference with film executives and 
officials of the IATSE on charges, filed 
some weeks ago by the Motion Picture 
Technicians Committee, that the IA is a 
company union and that its ex-vice- 
president, William Bioff, accepted a $100,- 
000 payoff from the producers to sell the 
organization “down the river.” Charges 
were filed with the NLRB by Jeff Kibre, 
former business manager of Local 37, one 
of the newly-made autonomous unions. 

Spurred by his disclosure that employ- 
ment for members of the union have 
reached their best work period since last 
June, members of the Makeup Artists 
Local, IATSE, held a membership meet- 
ing and cast a vote of confidence for Vern 
Murdock, the local’s business manager, and 
the union’s executive board. Minority 
groups within the union had lodged an 
attack on executives governing officers. 


Third "Nancy Drew" 

Warner will place the third feature in 
the “Nancy Drew” series, starring Bonita 
Granville, in production December 5. No 
title has been selected as yet. 


BOXOFFICE October 8, 1938 H 


29 


A Pacified Europe and Completed 
Plans Help Production Index Dp 


Cessation of the European war scare, 
coupled with the perfection of plans for 
the early autumn season, reflected them- 
selves in Hollywood production circles as 
the index of pictures in work, as the week 
opened, showed 44 features before the 
cameras and an additional ten poised for 
launching. Figure represents a gain of one 
over last week and is better than average 
for the past several months. 

Twentieth Century-Fox and Universal 
contributed a major share to the increase. 
The Westwood plant started three pic- 
tures — the Ritz Brothers’ “Three Muske- 
teers,” “Thanks for Everything” and a 
Jones Family episode, “A Bundle of Joy,” 
to bring its total to nine — one more than 
last week — and to top the list as most 
active studio. Universal was set to gun 
three also — “Sky Police,” “Three Smart 
Girls Grow Up” and an untitled Bob Baker 
western, the latter under Trem Carr’s 
production guidance. Despite this heavy 
starting schedule, however, Universal’s 
total dropped to seven as compared to the 
nine in work last week. 

Twentieth Century-Fox plans an early 
start on “He Married His Wife,” featur- 
ing Warner Baxter, and will gun “Charlie 
Chan in Honolulu” when a successor to 
Warner Oland in the title part has been 
selected. Universal, in rapid order, will 
film “The Dead Don’t Care” — a Crime 
Club mystery — “You Can’t Cheat an 
Honest Man,” with W. C. Fields, “Three’s 
Company” — the Bing Crosby starrer — 
“Rio,” “Destry Rides Again” and several 
programmers. 

Warner and Paramount each had seven 
in work. The Burbank plant started 
“Dark Victory,” with Bette Davis and Errol 
Flynn co-starred, and “Oklahoma Kid,” 
starring James Cagney, and is preparing 
to gun “Juarez,” with Paul Muni; “Dodge 
City,” “Each Dawn I Die” and “The Desert 
Song.” Paramount launched “Cafe So- 
ciety” and resumed filming, after several 
days’ delay, on “Say It in French,” with 
Mary Carlisle replacing Evelyn Keyes in 
the latter production. Miss Keyes dropped 
out because of illness. Going into produc- 
tion shortly will be “The Lady’s From 
Kentucky,” starring George Raft, to be 
followed by “Hotel Imperial” and Cecil B. 
DeMille’s “Union Pacific.” 

Gunning a pair was Republic, at which 
plant “Headin’ for Texas,” a Roy Rogers 
western, and “Strongheart,” featuring ju- 
venile Tommy Ryan, went before the cam- 
eras. The North Hollywood studio has 
three features and a serial in work, an in- 
crease over last week’s index, when the 
serial and a Gene Autry western were 
being filmed. Next week “Federal Man 
Hunt” gets into production. 

At RKO Radio Leo McCarey rolled “Love 
Match,” his first as a producer-director 
for that studio, while P. J. Wolfson, also 
initialing as producer-director, gave the 
nod to “The Pure in Mind.” The Gower 
Street film factory has six on its sound 
stages, two more than last week, and in- 


Studios Lead Way 
In Upswing 

Reporting a "continuation of a good 
level of activity" in the film studios, 
the September Southwest Business Re- 
view of the Los Angeles County Board 
of Supervisors and Chamber of Com- 
merce showed that the motion picture 
industry led the way in the local busi- 
ness upswing. 

The end of the month found 49 fea- 
tures in production as compared with 
45 at the same time the preceeding 
month, and 39 a year ago. 

Of the 502 features on the 1938-33 
schedules, 122 have gone before the 
cameras, leaving 380 to shoot, accord- 
ing to the survey. 


tends to gun “The Castles” — an Astaire- 
Rogers musical — “Pacific Liner,” and “The 
Saint Strikes Twice” in the near future. 

“A Christmas Carol,” based on Dickens’ 
story, went into action at M-G-M as that 
studio’s starter for the week, with Regi- 
nald Owen, Lynn Carver and Terry Kil- 
bourne heading the cast. The Culver City 
plant is currently shooting on eight pic- 
tures, one ahead of last week’s figure, 
while nearing the starting wire are “The 
Wizard of Oz,” “New York Cinderella” — 
with Hedy Lamarr — and “Honolulu,” in 
which George Murphy and Eleanor Powell 
share the leading roles. 

Monogram ended a brief period of idle- 
ness by launching “Gunpacker,” first of its 
1938-39 series of Jack Randall westerns, 
which will be followed shortly by “Roll, 
Wagons, Roll,” a Tex Ritter sagebrusher, 
under Edward Finney’s production guid- 
ance, and E. B. Derr’s “Gang Bullets.” 

Columbia also went western-minded by 
gunning “Trail of the Tumbleweed,” an 
outdoor feature with Charles Starrett in 
the lead, to report four pictures in work. 
Into the cutting-rooms over the weekend 
went the untitled Buck Jones western 
produced by Coronet for Columbia release, 
and “The Spider Web,” a 15-chapter serial. 

No new starts were listed at United 
Artists, which held even with last week’s 
four-feature pace. Hal Roach, currently 
filming “Topper Takes a Trip,” plans an 
October 15 start for “This Time It’s 
Love,” first co-starrer for Harry Langdon 
and Oliver Hardy. Samuel Goldwyn, 
whose “The Cowboy and the Lady” has 
been in work for more than three months, 
lists “Wuthering Heights” and “The Last 
Frontier” on his early schedules. Walter 
Wanger gets into action shortly with 
“Stage Coach.” Selznick International is 
nearing completion of “Made for Each 
Other.” 


Pichel Will Direct "Strongheart" 

“Strongheart,” with Tommy Ryan 
starred, will be directed for Republic by 
Irving Pichel. Herman Schlom produces. 


Personal Appearances 
Trail Keeps Beckoning 

Several additional film names were 
added to the list of personal appearance 
engagements during the week, with a 
number of local Thespics succumbing to 
the hit-the-trail urge. 

A 12-week tour is being planned by Luis 
Alberni, on which he will leave within ten 
days and on which he plans to stop in 
most of the key cities and a number of 
smaller communities throughout the coun- 
try. Also scheduled to check out, when 
his current Republic picture chore winds 
up, is Smiley Burnette. He will spend 
three weeks in Arizonia and New Mexico. 

Benny Baker checked out Sunday to 
open a personal appearance engagement in 
Indianapolis, October 7, following which 
he moves on to New York to begin an 
engagement there October 20. 

One of the most elaborate jaunts is 
being planned by Gypsy Rose Lee, nee 
Louise Hovick, whose acting contract with 
20th Century-Fox wound up recently. 
Opening October 19 in San Francisco, she 
will headline a show comprising 35 per- 
sons. Present itinerary includes Denver, 
Kansas City and several cities further 
east. 

En route to Louisville, Ky„ early in the 
week was Bobby Breen, Sol Lesser’s sing- 
ing juvenile star. He was to do a p. a. 
stint there and is expected to return next 
week to start a film assignment. 


Harmon -Ising Deal 

May Halt Feature 

At least one of the many ambitious 
plans for the production of a feature- 
length cartoon which have been bandied 
about Hollywood’s production circles since 
the success of Walt Disney’s “Snow White 
and the Seven Dwarfs” went a-glimmering 
this week when M-G-M announced the 
signing of Hugh Harmon and Rudolph 
Ising to seven-year contracts and placed 
them in charge of cartoon-producing units 
on the Culver City lot. 

Harmon and Ising, who headed the 
Harmon-Ising cartoon company which, up 
until a year ago, released its product 
through Metro, will each have a produc- 
ing unit and will make nine short cartoon 
subiects each. All are to be processed in 
Technicolor. 

They will work under the supervision of 
Fred Quimby, executive in charge of the 
studio’s cartoon production. 


Announce "Hardy" Film 

“The Hardys Get Spring Fever” has 
been announced at M-G-M as the next in 
the “Judge Hardy” series, to follow “Out 
West With the Hardys,” which is now in 
production with George Seitz directing. 


Crawford in "Ice Follies" 

Joan Crawford draws the starring role 
in “Ice Follies” at M-G-M, in which the 
barnstorming ice-skating troupe will ap- 
pear. Miss Crawford is currently in “The 
Shining Hour.” 


30 


BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1938 


KING OF FILMS 


EASTMAN Super X Panchromatic Negative 
reigns supreme. ... Not by virtue of fine 
grain alone. . . . Not by virtue of speed alone. 
. . . But by a combination of those qualities 
with that prime requisite of the fine motion 
picture, superb and dependable photo- 
graphic quality. Eastman Kodak Company, 
Rochester, N. Y. (J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Dis- 
tributors, Fort Lee, Chicago, Hollywood.) 


EASTMAN SUPER A 

PANCHROMATIC NEGATIVE 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


31 


Titles for Foreign Versions 
Within the Frame Line Area 


Dario Schedules 4 
Spanish Films Soon 


By W. E. POHL 

Technicolor Motion Picture Corp. 

A method of titling foreign version re- 
lease prints is being used on some of the 
current releases for foreign consumption, 
which utilizes the area between the frame 
lines and which eliminates some of the 
objectionable features of the conventional 
method of placing these titles in a black 
tab which goes in and out with title at the 
bottom of the picture. The two methods 



are illustrated by the diagrams herewith: 

When the picture aperture size was re- 
duced to permit the proper projection pro- 
portions with sound track at the edge of 
the film, an area was left vacant between 
the frame lines. This new method of titl- 
ing foreign prints makes use of this other- 
wise wasted space and permits the use of 
titles without the confusion of the title 
tab popping in and out. 

By using an aperture mask in the pro- 
jector, that corresponds in height to the 
old silent aperture and in width to the 

Actors to Decide 
On Vital Change 

Members of the Screen Actors Guild 
were to be called upon this week to ratify 
one of the most sweeping changes in the 
structure of the organization since its 
inception and a move which is generally 
interpreted as a noticeable step in effect- 
ing improvements in the SAG’s relation- 
ship with the great mass of extra and bit 
players which form a large proportion of 
its membership. 

Taking form as a new set of by-laws to 
the SAG constitution, the development 
abolishes the Junior Screen Actors Guild, 
composed of extra and bit-players, and 
substitutes for it a Class “B” bracket. 
Granted more autonomy than they en- 
joyed under the old setup, the ex-Junior 
members will be given the right to vote 
for a strike, should 75 per cent of the 
membership so ordain, and to vote for 


sound film aperture, it is possible to frame 
the picture on the screen to include the 
upper or lower frame line area, which, 
with the frameline method, is used for the 
titles. For Simplex projectors this chang- 
ing of the aperture requires only a suit- 
able aperture mask which may be slipped 
in or out at will. In projectors where a 
screw-in aperture is used, it is, of course, 
necessary to provide an aperture which 
can be placed in the projection machine 
properly. However, such an aperture 



plate is easily made and can be readily 
installed by the projectionist. 

Depending upon the size of the screen 
used as compared to the normal picture 
size, it may be necessary to add a suitable 
flap at the bottom of the screen to ac- 
commodate the titles. This is easily done 
with a piece of painted board or canvas. 

The frameline method of tilting has all 
the flexibility of the conventional super- 
imposed method and the reading time can 
be made the same, even if only one or two 
lines of a title are used at a time. 


withdrawal from the SAG if 51 per cent 
of the members approve of such a measure. 

The new by-laws, which were mailed to 
SAG members this week and were to be 
ratified at a general membership meet- 
ing Friday night, retain the closed-shop- 
for-extras clause obtained by the SAG 
with the producers some months ago, and 
even more stringently limit the number of 
new members that may affiliate with the 
Class “B” division. 

The Friday night meeting also was to 
ratify the new eight-year contract se- 
cured with the producers, with Kenneth 
Thomson, executive secretary, explaining 
its ramifications. In this regard the pro- 
ducers met late last week at 20th Century- 
Fox to go over the details of the new 
Guild pact. 

In a board of directors meeting Mon- 
day night, the SAG named Murray Kin- 
nell as its representative on the perma- 
nent arbitration committee provided for 
in the new producer agreement. The pro- 
ducers have selected B. B. Kahane as their 
representative, while the two will pool 
ideas to choose a third and neutral mem- 
ber. 


While the independent production 
scene as a whole was continuing to as- 
sume a more substantial position than 
it has held for several years past, the 
Spanish-language market as a phase of 
independent film-making also was grow- 
ing in significance, developments indicate. 

Completion of plans to produce four 
films in Spanish were announced by Dario 
Productions, headed by Dario Faralla, 
which has signed with Grand National 
for shooting space on that lot and plans 
to get into action October 18. The films 
will be released by Paramount with Tito 
Guizar as the star. Initialer will be “Radio 
Troubador,” with Arthur Vernon Jones 
doing the screenplay. 

Irving Applebaum has been signed as 
production manager, and Ralph Berger as 
art director. 

Meantime shooting space at Grand Na- 
tional also was arranged for by Frank Z. 
Clemente, who is scheduled to start shoot- 
ing within three weeks on “Cantaclara,” 
a story which he purchased from 20th 
Century-Fox and which is being scripted 
by Jose Lopez Rubio. 

Announcing an early starting date, Pres- 
ton Morris jr., has acquired film rights 
to the KFWB radio program, “Hollywood 
Hams,” from which he intends to pro- 
duce a series of short subjects for inde- 
pendent release. 

Among the pictures in actual produc- 
tion as independent releases as the week 
opened were Standard Pictures’ “The 
Headleys at Home,” first of a projected 
series. Grant Mitchell replaced Ralph 
Morgan in the cast. Majestic’s “The 
Great Diamond Scandal” was scheduled 
to roll at Talisman, to be followed by 
“Ladies in Jail.” All are slated for inde- 
pendent release by Malcolm F. Browne 
Productions, of which Bennie F. Zeidman 
is production chief. 

Coronet Pictures delivered the final 
Buck Jones western on its quota to Co- 
lumbia over the weekend and began pre- 
parations for disbanding its production 
activities and personnel. 


National Dance Contest 
Will Boom " Great Waltz" 

A nation-wide dance contest sponsored 
in cooperation with theatres throughout 
the country where the picture will be 
shown is to be launched by Metro in con- 
nection with the release of “The Great 
Waltz” in the near future. 

Winners in local contests will enter 
state contests, state contest winners thence 
advancing to twelve zone eliminations and 
the survivors going to New York for the 
finals. Winner in New York will draw a 
three-month studio contract. 

More than 7,000 orchestras will be tied 
in on contest plugs and the Metro “Good 
News” radio show will also contribute 
ballyhoo. 


32 


BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1938 



(2inemGtlc5 


Members of the cast and crew of Para- 
mount’s “King of Chinatown” were guests 
of Anna May Wong at a dinner party in 
Los Angeles’ New Chinatown. 

* 

Winding up a month’s vacation in Hono- 
lulu, Robert Usher, Paramount unit art 
director, has checked in at the studio for 
a new picture assignment. 

k 

Wesley Ruggles is due in shortly from 
New York, having docked there this week 
following an extended European vacation. 
He is accompanied by Skeets Gallagher. 

k 

Patricia Morrison, former New York 
fashion designer and art student, checked 
in at Paramount this week to begin her 
screen career. She was signed by a studio 
talent scout while singing, non-profes- 
sionally, at a New York night club. 

k 

Sam Wood has returned from his New 
York vacation to report to M-G-M for a 
directorial assignment. 

* 

Guests of Louis B. Mayer at M-G-M 
during a visit to the film capital were 
Major-General Ray D. Keehn, General 
Sam Lawton and Colonels Regan and 
Boyle, members of the National Guard 
Bureau from Washington. 

* 

Having completed a film role at Selz- 
nick International, Ruth Weston left for 
New York this week to fulfill a stage en- 
gagement. 

•k 

William A. Wellman and his family de- 
serted the film colony for a vacation in 
Bermuda, the producer-director having 
put his final okay on “Men With Wings.” 

k 

Basil Rathbone is due back in Hollywood 
next week from his vacation in the east. 

* ' 

Tom Pettey, publicist for the Hays of- 
fice, left on his annual holiday this week. 

k 

Joel Sayre, RKO Radio scripter, leaves 
for a New York vacation next week. 

* 

A month’s vacation in Mexico is planned 
by John King, 20th Century-Fox contract 
player, when he has completed his cur- 
rent film assignment. 

* 

Funeral services and cremation at Los 
Angeles Crematory were held Monday for 
Conway Tearle, 60-year-old stage and 
screen veteran, who died at St. Vincent’s 
Hospital of a heart ailment. Adele Row- 
land Tearle, his widow, survives. 

•k 

Rites for Mrs. Ferdinand A. Datig, wife 
of M-G-M’s casting director, were ob- 
served at the Little Church of the Flowers 
in Glendale following her death Sunday 
after a short illness. Her husband survives. 

k 

Morris Stoloff, head of Columbia’s music 
department, left this week for a three- 
week vacation in Honolulu. 


As He Joined Roach 



While A. Edward Sutherland looks on, 
Milton H. Bren, vice-president and 
production chief at Hal Roach studios, 
signs the contract which brought 
Sutherland into the Roach fold as an 
associate producer and director, re- 
cently. 


Doane Harrison, Paramount film editor, 
headed for Bitter Root Valley, Mont., this 
week, for a month’s vacation, having just 
completed an assignment. 

k 

Funeral services were held in Pasadena, 
Friday, for the Rev. William E. McKenzie, 
father of Maurice McKenzie, executive as- 
sistant to Will H. Hays, who died on 
Wednesday. He was 80 years of age. 

★ 

James Cagney arrived in Hollywood, Fri- 
day, after experiencing a first-hand view 
of the havoc-creating hurricane in the 
east. He was vacationing on his farm at 
Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., when the ele- 
ments went wild. 

k 

Planning to catch the world premiere 
of “There Goes My Heart,” October 6, 
Frank Seltzer, Hal Roach publicity direc- 
tor, left for New York late last week. 

* 

George Schneider, Metro’s musical re- 
search chief, is vacationing for two weeks 
in New York. 

* 

Allen Jenkins has returned to the film 
capital after a short vacation in New York. 

* 

John Payne has left for Roanoke, Va„ 
his home town, to catch the opening of 
“Garden of the Moon,” in which he is 
starred. 

★ 

Director Edward Ludwig, accompanied 
by Samuel Ornitz, traveled to New York 
over the weekend for a short vacation. 

★ 

A baby boy was born last week to Mrs- 
Paul Wrangel, wife of the Metro research 
director, at the Queen of Angels Hospital. 


Roscoe Karns was to check out of Para- 
mount Friday to join the U. S. C. foot- 
ball special at Columbus, Ohio, where the 
Trojans played Ohio State. Following the 
game, he was to continue to New York to 

take in two World Series games. 

★ 

Nearly 1,000 persons attended the first 
annual United Artists studio picnic at the 
Barney Oldfield ranch in the San Fern- 
nando Valley. 

k 

Honeymooning are Ronald Colman and 
Benita Hume, after their surprise marriage 
in Montecito. 

k 

Albertina Rasch, Metro dance director, 
has returned from her New York vacation. 

k 

Mr. and Mrs. Sol Wurtzel and Mr. and 
Mrs. Norman Foster are planning to sail 
for Mexico City, October 9, to spend three 
weeks in that country on vacation. 

* 

Claude Binyon and Fred MacMurray 
have returned from a ten-day fishing trip 
which took them to the vicinity of Mount 
Whitney. 

k 

Due to return next week, Joel McCrea 
and Frances Dee are motoring in a rented 
car through the New England states. 

* 

Gail Patrick was to be guest of henor at 
the world premiere of Paramou it’s Bob 
Burns starrer, “The Arkansas Traveler,” 
at the Pulaski Theatre in Little Rock, Ark., 
on Friday. She left Wednesday to make 
the appearance, following which she goes 
on to Birmingham, Ala., her home town, 
for a brief visit. 

* 

Opening of the Ice Follies at the Pan- 
Pacific auditorium was attended by two 
parties from the cinema capital. Mr. and 
Mrs. Jules Stein guested Anita Loos, 
Fanny Brice, Mary Loos, Olympe Bradna, 
Frieda Inescourt, Barbara Trippett, Mrs. 
Jock Whitney, Marjorie Kelly, Lorna 
Hearst, Edgar Bergen, Joseph Pasternak, 
Harry Crocker, Edward Sutherland, Car- 
ter Ludlow, Morton Downey, and Jack 
Benny. Mr. and Mrs. Selmer Chalif en- 
tertained Anita Louise, Frances Marion, 
G wynne Pickford, Hedy Lamarr, Joan 
Bennett, Julie Heron, Elsie Janis Wilson, 
Mary Eloise McCarthy, Ida Koverman, 
William Bakewell, James Stewart, Sid 
Grauman, Gene Markey, Mr. and Mrs. 
Frank Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Bel- 
lamy, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Joe Brown, Mr. 
and Mrs. Ralph Forbes, Mr. and Mrs. Mer- 
vyn LeRoy, and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Bolger. 

* 

Celebrating his first vacation in three 
years, Billy Gilbert gave a masquerade at 
his home for Mr. and Mrs. Preston Fos- 
ter, Mr. and Mrs. Walter De Leon, Mr. and 
Mrs. W. B. Van Dyke, Mr. and Mrs. Harry 
Einstein < Parky akarkus ) , Mr. and Mrs. 
Joe Penner, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Norton, Mr. 
and Mrs. Bradley Page, Mrs. Fay Shan- 
non, Norma Talmadge, June Travis, Louise 
Squires, Dorothy Lamour, Elaine Arden, 
Milton Berle, Dick Lane, and George 
Jessel. 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


33 


Plays . . . Possibilities 


", Kiss the Boys Goodbye" 

A comedy in three acts by Clare Boothe, 
“Kiss the Boys Goodbye” opened at Henry 
Miller’s, September 28, as the eighth new 
play of the season. Staged by Antoinette 
Perry with settings by John Root, Guthrie 
McClintic produced with a cast including 
Benay Venuta, Millard Mitchell, Philip 
Ober, John Alexander, Sheldon Leonard, 
Hugh Marlowe and Helen Claire. The 
critics on it: 

Walter Winchell, Daily Mirror — . . . 
a vastly amusing libel . . . (Miss Boothe) 
withered the first witnesses with a barrage 
of fun long before the last curtain fell and 
maintained the swiftness and comedy of 
the earlier scenes in a mad and riproaring 
finale . . . More important, perhaps, was 
the birth of a new star, Helen Claire by 
name . . . The others are all exceptionally 
fine actors and actresses. 

Burns Mantle, Daily News (three stars) 
— The producer was looking for someone 
to play the role of the heroine in another 
“Gone With the Wind” called “Kiss the 
Boys Goodbye” . . . The scout thought if 
he could expose Cindy Lou to the wits of 
the Hollywood circle, make her small and 
dumb before the captious producer, the 
picture part would go to his Brooklyn girl. 
But, of course, he reckoned without his 
Cindy . . . Tops so far as the season’s 
comedies have gone . . . Miss Claire is 
wistful and tender, in the proper stage 
tradition; fiery and convincingly forceful 
when, as the saying is, she turns on the 
heat. Benay Venuta is the contrasting 
tramp from Brooklyn. The two are well 
paired. 

John Anderson, Evening Journal — . . . 
waited expectantly through two straining 
and overworked acts for a third that had 
the authentic though tardy fun . . . Cer- 
tainly Miss Boothe has not come anywhere 
near the carbolic hilarity of “The Women.” 
She has studded her latest comedy with 
the same sort of glittering malice and 
filled it with ground-glass dialogue, but 
the play simply hasn’t the same life in it, 
or the humorous substance . . . An excel- 
lent cast did everything that could be 
done. 

Richard Watts jr., Herald-Tribune — In 
its brittle fashion, “Kiss the Boys Good- 
bye” is vigorous comedy and its play- 
wright’s scorn for her puppets is enter- 
taining to watch. It is unfortunate that 
the narrative seems to take a terribly long 
time to pass a given point and that the 
point doesn’t turn out to be very much 
. . . The leading role is played with re- 
markable skill by Miss Helen Claire. 

John Mason Brown, Post — . . . Miss 
Boothe provides a goodly number of her 
tart and scatching lines. But hilarious as 
are many of these lines. Miss Boothe’s 
plot, unfortunately, never keeps within 
hailing distance of her dialogue . . . Helen 
Claire is unquestionably a find. 

Richard Lockridge, Sun — It makes a 
bright little play, on the whole, hard- 
surfaced. knowing and rather feverishly 
witty. If you have been wondering, how- 
ever, it isn’t a patch on “The Women.” 


The brightest acting is contributed by 
Helen Claire. 

Brooks Atkinson, Times — They (the 
audience) found it brilliantly sardonic. 
This reporter must confess for the records 
that it seemed flat and mechanical to him 
and curiously lacking in spontaneity . . . 
No one can say that Miss Boothe has not 
given her literary all to this play. She 
has made every line equally bright and 
devastating. 

Sidney B. Whipple, World-Telegram — 
It is not as screamingly funny as “The 
Women,” but it is nevertheless exceeding- 
ly funny . . . Helen Claire, whose voice is 
well known to radio fans, shines brilliantly 
in her first real major Broadway per- 
formance as Cindy Lou Bethany, the girl 
from the Deep South. 


New York — This is the third in- 
stallment of a new department brief- 
ing the opinions of the Broadway 
critics on the new plays. 

“ Victoria Regina” resumed its run 
during the week. Revivals or return 
engagements will not be covered. 


"30 Days Hath September" 

A play in three acts, “30 Days Hath 
September” by Irving Gaumont and Jack 
Sobell and the ninth of the season opened 
at the Hudson, September 30. Staged by 
Bertram Harrison, Kirby Grant, Inc., pro- 
duced with a cast including Alison Skip- 
worth, Harry Antrim and Leyla Tyler. In 
these kind words, said the critics: 

Robert Coleman, Daily Mirror — We 
doubt that April, June and November, or 
any other month that happens to catch 
your fancy, will offer a much worse ex- 
hibit . . . Why, for instance, did that grand 
comedienne, Alison Skipworth, select it 
for her return . . . 

B. M„ Daily News (one star) — The ac- 
tors are exposed by it, the audience is 
bored by it, the authors are shorn of their 
confidence and the backers lose their in- 
vestment ... It aims to tell of a smart 
grandmother who sought to help a favo- 
rite grandson get married and collect some 
part of a legacy tied up by his grand- 
father’s will. With the family enmeshed 
and crooks in command of the conspiracy, 
a fatal accident is faked and the chief 
crook induced to tear up the papers. 

J. A., Evening Journal — She (Alison 
Skipworth) deserves the best, and she 
must have been thinking that herself last 
night, for her mind didn’t seem to be on 
“30 Days Hath September.” 

R. W., Herald-Tribune — Every dramatic 
season must produce such disasters and 
in this case the only real cause for regret 
is that this shabby vehicle is used to bring 
back to Broadway one of its most valiant 
veterans . . . 

J. M. B„ Evening Post — It was good to 
have her (Miss Skipworth) back even if it 
was distressing to find her mired in such 
hopelessly heavy fare. 

R. L., Sun — Miss Skipworth, does not, I 
regret to say, do a great deal to further 


the pretty hopeless cause and the acting 
of the others in the cast is, by and large, 
about as flat as the play. 

B. A., Times — It is a singularly footless 
study of legacies, wills, annuities, elope- 
ments and drunk scenes . . . 

S. B. W., World-Telegram — September 
may, indeed, have 30 days, but this won’t. 

"Big Blow" 

Theodore Platt is the author of “Big 
Blow,” a Federal Theatre project and the 
tenth play of the New York season. With 
music by Hans Bruno Meyer and stage 
direction by Anton Bundsmann, Morris 
Ankrum produced at the Maxine Elliott 
October 2. The cast includes Amelia Ro- 
mano, Kendall Clark, Doe Doe Green, 
Gregory Robbins, Elizabeth Malone and 
Dorothy Raymond. The critics said this: 

R. C., Daily Mirror — . . . reaches its 
climax at the height of a Florida hurri- 
cane. Until the advent of that rushing, 
leveling, cutting creation of malevolent 
nature, it had been a rather conventional 
rehash of the material contained in plays 
about Southern backwoodsmen from 
“Rope” to “Tobacco Road” . . . boasts the 
assets of simplicity and earnestness, but 
it also possesses dullness . . . would, we 
think, stand little chance for a run on 
what is known as the commercial theatre. 

B. M„ Daily News (three stars) — . . . 
a tense and exciting entertainment . . . 
The hurricane was recorded for, and used 
in, the picture called “Hurricane” and is 
about as realistic a theatrical prop as any 
I’ve seen or heard in action in years . . . 
tells a credible story convincingly, achieves 
its suspense naturally and is acted and 
directed with fine competence . . . Celie, 
the orphan, is graphically realized by 
Amelia Romano, five feet of repressed 
emotional dynamite with a working brain 
and a definite talent. 

R. W. jr., Herald-Tribune — . . . Melo- 
dramatic contemplation of the lives and 
bad habits of the Florida crackers . . . 
make the citizenry of “Tobacco Road” 
seem by comparison to be members of cafe 
society . . . sufficiently exciting, I sup- 
pose, in its entirely superficial fashion 
. . . acting is good, particularly in the case 
of Miss Amelia Romano. 

J. M. B., Evening Post — . . . boasts its 
decided interest for the first three of its 
five scenes . . . writing, though not dis- 
tinguished, is valid. It has about it an 
air of authenticity . . . Had it been storm- 
less, it would have been better. 

R. L., Sun — The acting is excellent and 
in at least two instances outstandingly 
good. Dorothy Raymond is notably su- 
perior as the wind-dried old woman of the 
Nebraska plains, giving sharp, clean out- 
lines to a full length portrait. Amelia 
Romano acts the part of the girl with a 
fine sincerity which fills in what might 
have been the merest stencil. 

B. A., Times — ... a lusty melodrama 
. . . Platt’s story has suffered on the way 
from bookstall to stage, however. The 
magnificent description of the storm in 
the novel, as well as much of the charac- 
ter development, is all but lost behind the 


34 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1933 


Grand National May Sell Nearly 
Half Million Shares in California 


confines of the footlights and, perhaps, 
due to an uncertain directive hand, the 
suspense before the tornado gains its full 
force is prolonged to the point where the 
big blow borders on becoming an anti- 
climatic breeze. 

S. B. W., World-Telegram — . . . lusty, 
gusty melodrama . . . The drama rises 
slowly, but with the oncoming of the storm 
it gathers speed and in the last two scenes 
reaches a furious climax in which human 
emotions are magnificently blended with 
the raging power of the hurricane . . . 
Little Amelia Romano scores a decided 
triumph as the orphan. 


Two-Performance Run 

New York — “Thanks for Tomorrow” 
which opened at the Bayes, September 27, 
ran exactly two performances and then 
went to the warehouse. 

Sherman Rapidly Winds 
Up His Western Schedule 

Producer Harry Sherman expects to 
have his quota of Zane Grey and “Hop- 
along Cassidy” westerns for Paramount re- 
lease on the 1938-39 schedule completed 
by December 1. 

Yet to be produced are one Zane Grey 
feature, “Heritage of the Desert,” and one 
“Cassidy” — tentatively titled “Stage Coach 
Trail.” Three films have been completed 
and are awaiting release, including “The 
Mysterious Rider” and two “Cassidys” — 
“Sunset Trail” and “Frontiersman.” Cur- 
rently in production is “Riders of the 
Range.” 

New Concern to Absorb 
Three Animated Groups 

Incorporation papers for the Consoli- 
dated Corp. were filed at Sacramento last 
week by which the firm will take over 
three concerns handling animated cartoon 
productions and properties of Walt Disney. 

The new company absorbs Walt Disney 
Enterprises, Walt Disney Productions and 
Liled Realty and Investment, Inc. Direc- 
tors listed are Walt Disney, Roy Disney, 
Gunther Lessing, George Morris and Ed- 
ward Francis. Capital stock comprises 
200,000 shares of $10 par value. 


RKO Signs /. Barrymore 
For "Great Man Votes" 

RKO Radio has signed John Barrymore 
to star in “The Great Man Votes,” sharing 
the featured bracket with Peter Holden, 
7-year-old stage player in the latter’s film 
debut. 

Peter arrived in Hollywood Monday to 
prepare for his role, the picture to be di- 
rected by Garson Kanin and produced by 
Cliff Reid. John Twist scripted from an 
original by Gordon Malherbe Hillman. 


Borrow David Niven 

David Niven has been borrowed from 
Samuel Goldwyn by RKO Radio to take a 
featured role in “Love Match,” the Charles 
Boyer-Irene Dunne co-starrer which Leo 
McCarey is producing and directing. 


Simultaneous with the release at a 
Chicago sales convention of Grand Na- 
tional’s product lineup for the 1938-39 
season and the disclosure there by Ed- 
ward Alperson of the new company’s sales 
organization, came word here this week 
that the State Commissioner of Corpora- 
tions had granted GN a permit to issue 
and sell in California a total of 484,345 
shares of stock in the newly-formed com- 
pany. Of these, 30,000 shares are pre- 
ferred stock at a par value of $10, the 
balance being common valued at $1. 

Although the official product announce- 
ment was revealed first in the Windy City, 
production circles in Hollywood learned 
of the revamped company’s ambitious pro- 
gram through an elaborate brochure pre- 
pared and distributed here by Ted Rich- 
mond, GN’s publicity director. It listed 
68 features and 44 short subjects in line 
for production and distribution during the 
coming season. Forty-four straight fea- 
tures, 24 westerns, 18 two-reel shorts and 
26 one-reelers are scheduled. 

Largest single block of films will be de- 
livered by Franklyn Warner’s Fine Arts 
Pictures, with 26 pictures on its lineup. 

In commenting on the SCC’s stock is- 
suance permit, studio attaches declared 
that details of the complete plans for per- 
fecting the company’s financial structure 
were to be revealed at GN’s eastern di- 


Local legal channels overflowed with an 
abundance of litigation affecting mem- 
bers of the film colony during the week, 
developments ranging from a charge of 
plagiarism to additional chapters in the 
never-ending history of talent agent-client 
differences. 

The plagiarism complaint found 20th 
Century-Fox defending itself against a 
$50,000 suit filed by Margot Fragey, a 
writer, who petitioned in superior court 
for that amount in damages and an in- 
junction preventing the studio from fur- 
ther exhibiting the Sonja Henie musical, 
“My Lucky Star,” on the allegation that 
the film contained portions of a story 
written by her under the title “Skating 
Cinderella,” which she claims was sub- 
mitted to the studio and rejected. 

Norma Shearer effected a compromise 
settlement of a $3,000,000 tax claim against 
the estate of her husband, the late Irving 
G. Thalberg, when probate court approved 
and accepted her offer of $754,239 in satis- 
faction of the claim. 

Arthur Sheekman, scenarist, filed an answer in 
superior court to the complaint filed recently 
against hint by the Small Co., agents, in which 
the plaintiff sought $4,000 allegedly due in com- 
missions for representing the scrivener and charg- 
ing him with breaking his contract. Sheekman 
contends that his pact was with Arthur Landau, 
formerly a partner in the agency, and that Lan- 
dau’s departure from the firm automatically 
voided the agreement. - 

The state labor commission was the scene of 


visional sales meeting, scheduled to open 
in New York on Wednesday. 

Losing no time in resuming production 
activity on the new season’s schedule, 
two pictures were slated to roll on the GN 
lot during the week. Fine Arts was to 
get “The Long Shot” underway with 
Charles Lamont producing and directing, 
while Eugene Frenke scheduled “Exile 
Express,” starring Anna Sten, to go into 
production with Gordon Wiles directing. 
Jack Skirball, vice-president and produc- 
tion supervisor, was set to remain here 
until the pair of features hit the cameras 
and was then to plane out for New York 
to attend the sales convention there. 

Accompaning Alperson, GN’s sales chief, 
to Chicago were Sam Berkowitz, execu- 
tive manager of Fine Arts; Morris Safier, 
western sales manager; W. C. Riter, Los 
Angeles exchange manager; James Winn, 
San Francisco manager; and Bradley Fish 
of Salt Lake City. Following the New 
York meeting Alperson will hit key cities 
throughout the country on a flying trip 
back to the coast. E. W. Hammons, presi- 
dent of Educational and holding the same 
position in the new GN, left for Chicago 
and New York last week after spending 
several days at the studio. He plans to sail 
for England following the New York con- 
vention to set a distribution and financing 
deal with a production company there. 


another agent-client turmoil when the hearing on 
charges by Bradley Page, actor, against the Gene 
Mann agency got underway. Page alleges mis- 
representation in his contract and charges that 
Mann illegally split the 10 per cent commission 
collected on Page’s contract with a third party 
in violation of the state private employment act. 

Denying the motion of defendants for dismissal, 
Superior Judge Robert Kenny has ordered set for 
trial the $500,000 conspiracy suit filed against 
Warner, Pat O’Brien, contract player, Louella 
Parsons, Jimmy Fidler and others by Pat O’Brien, 
free-lance actor. Judge Kenny also directed the 
county clerk to issue summonses against the de- 
fendants. 

Going on trial in superior court was another 
$500,000 damage suit — that filed by George D. 
Lyons against Haven MacQuarrie, producer of the 
radio show “Do You Want to Be an Actor?’* 
Lyons asserts that he aided MacQuarrie in 
originating the program under a partnership 
agreement and that MacQuarrie illegally voided 
the relationship and has retained all the profits 
from the broadcast. 

Upholding his attorney’s contention that the 
complaint did not show sufficient cause for ac- 
tion, Superior Court this week granted John W. 
Considine jr., Metro producer, a point in his de- 
fense of a $150,000 damage suit filed by a cousin, 
Vera L. Donellan, recently. Superior Judge Kenny 
sustained Considine’s demurrer and ordered Miss 
Donellan to file an amended complaint within ten 
days. Her original complaint charged Considine 
with having her falsely arrested and held at a 
police station for questioning. 

Dorothy Lamour’s complaint against the Na- 
tional Broadcasting Co. Artists Service bureau, in 
which she seeks to have her managerial contract 
voided, cla ming improper representation, took a 
new turn when the State Labor Commission or- 
dered the NBC attorneys to file an answer to the 
complaint within ten days. 

Victorious in a debtor judgment against him 
was Cecil L. Bartholomew, father of Freddie, when 
Court Commissioner Kurtz Kauffman decided in 
his favor and aga'nst Attorney Leonard Meyberg, 
who sued to recover $7,877 in fees which he al- 
leged Bartholomew owed him. 


Fil mites’ Differences Crowd Court 


BOXOFFICE ;; October 8, 1938 


35 


Studio Talent Takes It on Chin 
As Craftsmen Smile With Work 


While the steady uptrend in production 
reflected itself in satisfactory reports of 
work calls within studio labor unions, per- 
sonnel changes and contract expirations, 
especially among the acting fraternity and 
executive rosters, remained at high levels. 

Among day-by-day workers, extras and 
bit-players were hardest hit, with Central 
Casting Corp. reporting September to be 
the poorest month recorded since early in 
the year. Only slightly more than 14,- 
000 calls cleared through the casting of- 
fice during the month, as compared to 
more than 25,000 in July and an almost 
equal number during August. 

Workmen Busy at Universal 

Technical workers, carpenters, elec- 
tricians and other craftsmen were enjoy- 
ing a field day at Universal, where con- 
struction crews were being augmented to 
speed up its rebuilding and remodeling 
program, for which $1,000,000 has been 
set aside. The Studio is gearing itself for 
a production peak in mid-October and, in 
addition to overhauling two sound stages, 
is launching construction work on two new 
stages and a six-story administration 
building. 

Talent changes were heaviest at RKO 
Radio, where a minor exodus was in prog- 
ress. Leaving the lot at the expiration of 
their contracts were Jack Arnold, Milton 
Berle, Willie Best, Mitzi Green, William 
Corson, Cecil Kellaway, Parkyakarkus and 
Frank M. Thomas, all featured players. 
Two members of the writing staff also 
checked out — Lionel Houser and Marcella 
Burke. Both scriveners reportedly failed 
to agree with their respective producers 


regarding proper treatment of screenplays 
to which they had been assigned. The 
Gower Street plant, however, lifted its 
suspension ban on Anne Shirley and cast 
her in “The Pure in Mind.” She had been 
suspended for refusing a role in “Law 
West of Tombstone.” 

Several Contract Breaks 

Two players left the Warner fold. An- 
thony Averill obtained a release from his 
contract, effective when he completes his 
role in “Secret Service of the Air.” Mel- 
ville Cooper, character actor, also de- 
parted, his contract completed. 

Winding up her contract after a year 
and a half at M-G-M was Phyllis Welch, 
who appeared in one picture, Paramount’s 
“Professor, Beware,” on loan from the Cul- 
ver City plant. She heads for New York 
to appear in a stage play. 

Securing his release from his personal 
contract with Harry Sherman, James Elli- 
son reported immediately to RKO Radio 
on a term deal. 

In executive brackets, Monogram an- 
nounced the appointment of J. P. Fried- 
hoff as treasurer. Arriving several weeks 
ago from the New York office, Friedhoff 
will make his headquarters here, his ap- 
pointment taking effect immediately. 

M. H. Hoffman joined Republic as an 
associate producer, having sealed the deal 
in New York with Herbert J. Yates. No 
assignment has been handed him as yet. 

Arthur Lange, musical director, wound 
up his contract at 20th Century-Fox, while 
Edward Ebele rejoined the same studio, 
returning to the production staff after 
several months’ absence. 


Community Drive 
Has Filmites Aid 

With $400,000 as the goal to be sought 
as the film capital’s contribution, scores of 
screen leaders were perfecting final de- 
tails for the industry’s participation in the 
annual Community Chest drive, and are 
already hard at work to make a 100 per 
cent showing. 

Joseph M. Schenck has been appointed 
general chairman, the post he held during 
last year’s drive, and has organized a staff 
representing virtually every studio as well 
as other groups allied with the film world. 

Schenck, asserting that the industry 
“will not be found wanting this year,” ap- 
pointed the following lieutenants for the 
campaign: 

Sam Katz, Metro; George Bagnall, Para- 
mount; William Koenig, 20th Century- 
Fox; Joseph Nolan, RKO Radio; Blayney 
Matthews, Warners; H. A. McDonald, Co- 
lumbia; Edward Muhl, Universal; Reeves 
Espy, representing Samuel Goldwyn, Wal- 
ter Wanger and United Artists; Ted Rich- 


mond, Grand National; A. S. Rosenthal, 
Republic; Mat O’Brien, Hal Roach; Sol 
Lesser; Fred W. Beetson; Abe Lastfogel, 
for talent agents, and Ray Klune, Selz- 
nick International. Regular meetings of 
the staff are to be held weekly at 20th 
Century-Fox with Schenck presiding. 

Meantime the Motion Picture Relief 
Fund pressed ahead with its plans to sur- 
vey the unemployment situation, particu- 
larly among extras and bit players. The 
special committee, headed by Edward Ar- 
nold, met to hear Campbell McCulloch, 
head of Central Casting Corp., reveal that 
only 4,000 extras received an average of 
one work call per month from January to 
August of this year, and that the average 
extra’s earnings was not more than $200 
for the period. Selected to replace Alex 
Freundlich as executive secretary of the 
Fund was Wilma Bashor. 

While Schenck and his lieutenants were 
solidifying the details of their Community 
Chest drive, however, the Screen Actors 
Guild board of directors during its regu- 
lar Monday night meeting voted a resolu- 
tion recommending that ten per cent of 
the contributions made to the Chest by 
Thespic members of the film colony be 
turned over to the coffers of the Motion 
Picture Relief Fund. 


REVIEW 



FLASHES 


MAD MISS MANTON. THE (RKO)— Snail- 
paced comedy murder mystery whose im- 
pressive production mounting, occasional 
veins of genuine humor and potentially 
fine cast are completely bogged down in 
a maze of overdrawn, overlong and trite 
situations. The leading parts are badly 
suited to the respective talents of Bar- 
bara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda. Pro- 
duced by P. J. Wolfson. Directed by Leigh 
Jason. 

COMPLETE REVIEWS on the above 
pictures will appear in an early issue 
of BOXOFFICE. 


Map Parade Plans 
For the Campaign 


While the “Motion Pictures’ Greatest 
Year” campaign’s New York executive 
committee was launching its second series 
of nationwide newspaper advertisements 
ballyhooing the back-to-the-theatres drive, 
Hollywood’s committee kept apace by 
rushing plans to inaugurate a parade of 
film talent to spur public interest amid 
the screen capital’s movie-goers. 

Committee members here met with the 
business managers of the various studios 
to discuss ways and means of organizing 
the parade and to secure pledges of co- 
operation and support from each film 
plant. Acting on the request of W. H. 
Lollier, Fox West Coast Theatres execu- 
tive and a member of the committee, the 
Los Angeles police commission has granted 
permission to stage the parade, tentatively 
slated to take place October 20. Studio 
business managers were requested to line 
up a number of stars and featured play- 
ers from each studio to participate. 

Meanwhile, the all-industry short sub- 
ject, “The World Is Yours,” is nearly com- 
pleted. Technicolor cartoon sequences, to 
be inserted in the reel, are being spliced 
in by Basil Wrangell, who directed and is 
cutting the film. Nearly every Hollywood 
star appears for a flash in the short, which 
is slated for distribution in virtually every 
one of the nation’s 17,000 theatres. The 
musical score by David Snell has been fin- 
ished and turned over to Wrangell. 


To Direct War Film 

Wallace MacDonald has been assigned 
to direct “Life Is Cheap” for Producer 
Irving Briskin at Columbia. The Shang- 
hai war story is being scripted by Mau- 
rice Rapf and Harold Buchman for an 
October 15 starting date. 

To Direct Colbert Vehicle 

Mitchell Leisen has been assigned to 
direct “Midnight,” with Claudette Colbert. 


36 


BOXOFFICE ; : October 8, 1938 


Radio Broadcasts 
To Normalcy Again 

Back to normal went Radio Row’s 
broadcasting facilities this week as the 
European war scare, which caused in- 
numerable program cancellations and sev- 
eral hectic days and nights of watchful- 
ness, abated. Subsiding of the rush, dur- 
ing which Station KNX, Columbia net- 
work outlet here, remained on the air 
for 92 consecutive hours and other net- 
work and independent stations were oper- 
ated on comparable scales, left local 
executives free once again to concentrate 
on the regular fall program setup. 

New shows opening during the week 
included Eddie Cantor’s variety hour for 
Camel Cigarettes; Joe Penner’s broadcast, 
which was to be launched Thursday after 
a week’s postponement; the Woodbury 
Playhouse, with Charles Boyer in the dra- 
matic lead; Silver Theatre, with Fredric 
March holding down the thespic spot; and 
two education programs, piped through 
Station KECA, under the auspices of the 
Los Angeles Board of Education. 

Debuting October 14 will be a variety- 
musical broadcast with Jack Haley, stage, 
screen and radio comic, starred. Two 
days later the Joe E. Brown airer gets the 
gun, both over CBS. Still another new 
presentation, Texaco’s Star Theatre, was 
in the rehearsal stages and due to be 
gunned next week with Adolphe Menjou, 
Charlie Ruggles, Una Merkel and Ned 
Sparks in the lineup. A CBS offering, it 
is being produced by Bill Bacher. 

Announcement came from New York 
during the week that early in January, 
1939, a new one-hour show sponsored by 
Kellogg’s Cereals will make its appearance, 
emanating from the local CBS studios. 
John J. Reber, vice-president of the J. 
Walter Thompson Advertising agency, 
which is handling the deal, arrived this 
week to look over available film-radio 
talent. 

Reelection of nine incumbent members 
of the board of directors, plus the nam- 
ing of two additional members, featured 
the annual election of the American 
Federation of Radio Artists, held last week. 
Newcomers are True Boardman and Gale 
Gordon, while those retained included Ben 
Alexander, Edward Arnold, Jean Hersholt, 
Warren Hull, Lanny Ross, James Walling- 
ton, Forrest Barnes, Hector Chevigny and 
Ed Ludes. 

Several changes in the National Broad- 
casting Co.’s Pacific Coast personnel struc- 
ture were made. Transferring from San 
Francisco was Cliff Anderson; Cameron 
Prudhomme becomes producer of dra- 
matic programs, in a shift from produc- 
tion manager; Robert Seal, coming from 
Columbus, Ohio, becomes production man- 
ager, and Van Fleming, a producer, leaves 
the organization. Lew Crosby and Bob 
Thonge have left the KFI-KECA an- 
nouncing staff. 


Estabrook Cuts Pact 

Howard Estabrook has terminated his 
producer-writer contract with Samuel 
Goldwyn. 


" I'm From Missouri " Is 
Back on Shooting Slate 

A re-shuffling of shooting schedules at 
Paramount has placed “I’m From Mis- 
souri,” starring Bob Burns, on the line 
once more after it was recently postponed 
indefinitely. This move necessitates 
Burns’ withdrawal from the cast of Cecil 
B. DeMille’s “Union Pacific.” 

Based on a novel by Homer Croy, “I’m 
From Missouri” is being scripted by John 
Moffitt and will hit the cameras Novem- 
ber 7 with Theodore Reed directing for 
Producer Paul Jones. Gladys George has 
the feminine lead opposite Burns. 


Rogers Signs 13-Year-Old 
Singer lor "Star Maker" 

Charles R. Rogers has signed Beverly 
Jane Stillwagon, 13-year-old singer, to 
appear in “Star Maker,” the filmization 
of the life of Gus Edwards which Rogers, 
ex-production chief of Universal, has in 
preparatory stages. The juvenile player, 
who will be known on the screen as Linda 
Ware, appeared in superior court during 
the week to have her aunt, Anna Cathe- 
rine Stillwagon, appointed her legal guar- 
dian. Her father opposed the move. 


Richard Harlan Promoted 

Richard Harlan has been promoted to a 
full directorship at Paramount after sev- 
eral years as an assistant director. Re- 
lieved of his assistant director assignment 
on “Ambush,” Harlan starts immediately 
to megaphone “Radio Troubador,” the 
Spanish-language feature starring Tito 
Guizar which Dario Faralla is making for 
Paramount as one of a series of four. 


OPTIONS 


— Columbia 

DANNY WEBB signed to appear in leading 
role in a series of 12 short subjects to be pro- 
duced by Jules White. 

— Metro 

JACK CARLETON, New York stage player, 
signed to term acting contract. First screen role 
will be in “Spring Dance.” 

JOHNNY WEISSMULLER signs new three-year 
contract to make a trio of “Tarzan” pictures. 

DORRELL and STUART McGOWAN sign writ- 
ing contracts, as does BRADFORD ROPES. 

EDITH FITZGERALD joins writing depart- 
ment. 

TOM NEAL and JACK CARLTON, New York 
stage players, sign acting contracts. 

SPANK Y MCFARLAND of “Our Gang” fame, 
draws new acting contract. 

— Paramount 

EDWIN MAXWELL, veteran character actor, 
signed as technical advisor and dialogue director 
on Cecil B. DeMille’s “Union Pacific.” 

ISA MIRANDA, Italian star, held for another 
term. She is preparing to make her American 
debut in “Hotel Imperial.” 

— 20th Century-Fox 

JOHN CAMPBELL joins publicity staff. 
ERNEST PASCAL joins writing department on 
one-picture deal. 

— Universal 

GEORGE BECK signed to writing contract. He 
will do a Deanna Durbin script. 

EDWARD LUDWIG held for another directorial 
chore following his recent “That Certain Age.” 

— Warner Bros. 

EDDIE ALBERT draws long-term acting con- 
tract. 

TERRY’ MORSE, who has been in the cutting 
department, draws a new contract as a director. 
First assignment will be the initial “Jane Arden” 
vehicle in the projected series. 

LLOYD BACON draws new long-term direc- 
torial contract. He has been with the company 
for 12 years. Next chore is “Oklahoma Kid,” 
starring James Cagney. 

KEN GAMET, writer, held for another term. 


Agents Nix Guild 
Joint Huddle Idea 

The Screen Actors Guild’s recently- 
adopted amendment calling for the 
“franchising” of talent agents represent- 
ing members of the acting fraternity ran 
into a few snags when developments 
emanating from the Artists Managers 
Guild, an organization of talent agents, 
indicated that difficulties may be en- 
countered before adoption of the plan has 
been amicably arranged. 


The SAG committee earlier in the 
week revealed its 19 -point agent fran- 
chising program in a meeting attended 
by 125 of the independent percenters. 
The agents strenuously protested 
clauses limiting managerial pacts to 
one year. Committees representing the 
independents, the AMG and the SAG 
are to meet next week to continue 
the discussion. 


At the same time, however, the AMG, 
through President M. C. Levee, declared 
that “cordial relations” prevailed between 
it and the SAG, although Levee, as spokes- 
man for the group, had declined the SAG’s 
invitation to the AMG to participate in a 
mass meeting Wednesday night at which 
ramifications of the licensing plan were 
to be explained. Levee, denying the truth 
of reports which immediately sprang up to 
the effect that the AMG had lodged a 
complaint with the National Labor Rela- 
tions Board against the SAG plan, de- 
clared, in refusing the invitation, that any 
discussions of the project should be han- 
dled by committees representing each 
group rather than at the mass meeting 
planned by the SAG. 

The AMG, earlier in the week, took 
steps which were interpreted as a means 
of tightening its defenses when it admit- 
ted 15 additional agents into its mem- 
bership and appointed a committee to 
represent the organization in any huddles 
that might be scheduled with the SAG. 
It was to this committee that Levee re- 
ferred in suggesting that negotiations be 
conducted through it by a committee des- 
ignated by the SAG. 

“We believe that any problems which 
might come before such committees are 
deserving of deliberate consideration,” 
Levee declared in his letter declining the 
SAG’s invitation, “and are not such as 
can be properly digested in a large meet- 
ing which is at best a cumbersome method 
of dealing with problems requiring clarity 
of perception.” 

The SAG, nevertheless, was to hold its 
membership meeting at the scheduled 
time, giving no indication that it would, 
as suggested by the AMG, have a commit- 
tee meet with that of the agents’ organi- 
zation. 

Independent agents, not members of the 
AMG, met early in the week to discuss the 
SAG licensing plan and the effect its 
operation will have upon them. 


BOXOFFICE : ; October 8, 1938 


37 


Liberal Factions 
Line Up Schedule 

Politically and socially, Hollywood’s lib- 
eral factions are making preparations for 
an imposing schedule of early fall ac- 
tivities, with the Hollywood Anti-Nazi 
League, the Motion Picture Artists Com- 
mittee and the Hollywood branch of the 
Associated Film Audiences in the fore- 
front. 

Highlighting the array of meetings dur- 
ing the next few weeks will be the sched- 
uled visit of Harold L. Ickes, Secretary of 
the Interior, whose address at the Shrine 
Auditorium, October 19 r is not only being 
partially sponsored by the Anti-Nazi 
League, but will also be attended by scores 
of Hollywood notables. Listed on the wel- 
coming committee for Secretary Ickes are 
John Ford, Samuel Ornitz, Ira Gershwin, 
Dudley Nichols, Jerome Kern, Melvyn 
Douglas, Philip Dunne, Kenneth Mac- 
gowan, Miriam Hopkins, Donald Ogden 
Stewart, Marian Spitzer, Dorothy Parker, 
Alan Campbell, Herbert Biberman, Sidney 
Buchman, Edwin Justus Mayer, Lewis 
Milestone, Irving Pichel, Viola Brothers 
Shore, Frank Tuttle, Maxwell Shane, Har- 
lan Thompson, Gale Sondergaard, Made- 
leine Ruthven, Charles Brackett, Charles 
Butterworth, Robert Benchley, Francis 
Goodrich, Albert Hackett, John Bright, 
Philip Kiefer, Cliff Mace, Maurice Mur- 
phy, Johnny Green and Thomas E. Jack- 
son. 

Meantime the Associated Film Audi- 
ences has named Margarete Clark, a mem- 
ber of the Board of Education, as tem- 
porary chairman of its Hollywood branch 
and has announced plans to immediately 
launch a membership drive. The local 
AFA branch was formerly known as the 
Freedom of the Screen Committee, and 
lists Herbert Biberman, John Ford, Walter 
Wanger, Miriam Hopkins and other screen 
figures as charter members. 

Scheduled for Friday was the Anti-Nazi 
League’s annual membership meeting, at 
which reports of League activities for the 
past year, and an outline of the program 
for the coming year were to be the main 
points of business. Donald Ogden Stew- 
art, League chairman; Dorothy Parker and 
Cedric Belfrage were to be among the 
speakers. 

Reported as an overwhelming success 
was the Motion Picture Artists Commit- 
tee’s “circus party,” held Sunday at the 
home of Mrs. Ira Gershwin. On hand as 
hostesses were Luise Rainer, Virginia 
Bruce, June Travis, Gloria Stuart, Louise 
Hovick and Gale Sondergaard, while en- 
tertainment and general handling of the 
affair was arranged by the Women’s Com- 
mittee of the MPAC. Proceeds were do- 
nated to the fund for relief of women and 
children of democratic Spain. 


Borrow Harry Warren 

Metro has borrowed Harry Warren, 
tunesmith, from Warner to work on song 
numbers for “Honolulu,” the Eleanor Pow- 
ell starrer. 


SCRIPTERS 


— Columbia 

KEN ENGLUND, borrowed from Paramount, to 
polish “That Woman’s Here Again.” 

SHERIDAN GIBNEY to “Our Wife, ”an Everett 
Riskin production which will co-star Jean Ar- 
thur and Cary Grant. 

HAROLD BUCHMAN to “Outside These Walls,” 
an original by Frederick Reyher. 

FRED NIBLO JR. to “First Edition.” 

MIKE SIMMONS to “Massing Daughters.” Irv- 
ing Briskin will produce. 

MAURICE RAPF to “Parents on Trial,” which 
Irving Briskin will produce. 

— Samuel Goldwyn 

JAN FORTUNE to collaborate with ANTHONY 
VE1LLER on “The Last Frontier.” 

— Metro 

EVERETT FREEMAN to “Milady Goes Along,” 
an original by James Edward Grant, which 
Frederick Stephani will produce. 

MARION PARSONNET teamed with JANE 
HALL on “These Glamour Girls.” Sam Zimbalist 
is the producer. 

— Paramount 

STUART PALMER to an original “Bulldog 
Drummond” for Stuart Walker’s production 
guidance. 

IRVING REIS and ROBERT YOST to an un- 
titled original for Anna May Wong. 

MAURY RYSKIND to “Man About Town,” the 
Jack Benny starrer. 

— Principal 

DAVID SILVERSTEIN to “Wrings of Tomor- 
row,” which will star Tommy Kelly. 

IAN HUNTER and HERBERT CLYDE LEWIS 
polishing “Fisherman’s Wharf,” the next Bobby 
Breen vehicle. RKO Radio releases. 

— RKO Radio 

JOSEPH PAGANO and DALTON TRUMBO 
teamed on “Born to Fly,” the Douglas Corr.gan 
picture. 

CLARENCE YOUNG to “The Dove,” being con- 
sidered as a remake from “The Girl of the Rio,” 
produced in 1932. 

— Republic 

MAXWELL SHANE to “Federal Man Hunt.” 

ALICE ALTSCHULER and MIRIAM GETGER 
to “Stand Up and Sing,” having completed “Lady 
in the News.” 

RING LARDNER JR. and HERBERT C. LEWIS 
complete “Federal Man Hunt” for Producer Ber- 
nard Vorhaus. 

STANI EY ROBERTS to “Three Texas Steers,” 
which William Berke will produce as a Three 
Mesquiteers western. Also being shaped up for 
the sagebrush trio are “Red River Range,” on 
which I UCI WARD is working, and “Santa Fe 
Stampede.” 

OLIVE COOPER to “Strongheart.” which Her- 
man Schlom will produce starring Tommy Ryan. 

MAXWELL SHANE to “Federal Man Hunt.” 

— 20tli Century-Fox 

NAT FERBER to “Coney Island.” latest addi- 
tion to the studio’s winter production schedule. 
Alice Faye will have one of the leads. 

WALTER BULLOCK writing dialogue for 
“Falling Star,” a David Hempstead production 
which will co-star Don Ameche and Alice Faye. 
It is Bullock’s first assignment as a scrivener 
since lie left the song-writing ranks. 

BROWN HOLMES to “Heart Interest,” an 
original by George Bradshaw. 

PETER MTI NE to the next “Mr. Moto” picture. 

NAT FERBER to an original based on the 
American Leg ; on. 

FRANCES HYLAND and ALBERT RAY to the 
third of the “World of Sport” series, which Jerry 
Hoffman will produce. 

M. M. MUSSELMAN to “Song of the Islands.” 
— Universal 

CHARLES GRAYSON to “The Baltimore Bub- 
ble,” story with a dancing background. Burt 
Kelly will produce. 

EDMl'ND L. HARTMANN to “Call Me a Liar,” 
an original by Jerry SackhHm, whRh Irving Starr 
will produce as a Crime Club mystery. 

MANNY SEFF to “You Can’t Cheat an Honest 
Man.” the W. C. Fields-Edgar Bergen-Charlie Mc- 
Carthy vehicle. 

WALLACE SULLIVAN to an untitled original. 
— Warner Bros. 

VTNCENT SHERMAN to “Concentrat : on Camn.” 

ALBERT DE MOND comnletes “Guttersnipes,” 
set as a vehicle for the “Dead End” kids. 

MAURICE LEO and WALLY KLETN to “Mak- 
ing a Hit,” slated as a Dick Powell-Rosemary 
Lane co-starrer. 

LAWRENCE KIMBLE to an untitled original 
to be used as one of the “Jane Arden” series. 

FRANK DONOGHUE and DON RYAN to 
“Cavalcade of Crime.” 

NORMAN REILLY RATNE to “The Roaring 
Road,” an automobile racing story. 


A Comedy Chore 

Paramount has assigned William Wright 
the production chore on the first of the 
new series of Charlie Ruggles-Mary Bo- 
land comedies. George Archainbaud will 
direct. Laura and S. J. Perelman, Lloyd 
Corrigan and Monte Brice are scripting. 


Two of Paramount's 
Foreign Chiefs Here 

Paramount’s Marathon Street studio 
assumed a cosmopolitan aspect this week 
as its guest list recorded the names of 
two company sales executives who head- 
quarter in foreign lands. 

Set to arrive Wednesday was John B. 
Nathan, general manager in Argentina, 
Paraguay and Uruguay, who was to check 
in for his first Hollywood visit in 18 years. 
Nathan has been in New York in home- 
office conferences and planned to spend a 
few days here looking over the product 
lineup and, particularly, the studio’s Span- 
ish language quota, before returning to 
his South American office. 

Currently at the studio, winding up a 
three-month stay in the United States, is 
J. W. Piper, manager of the Tokyo, Japan, 
office. He reported that the Sino-Japan- 
ese conflict had virtually nullified the im- 
portation of American-made films, while 
Japanese production companies are sup- 
plying the country’s 1,700 theatres with 
approximately 500 features annually. 
Piper was due to leave over the weekend 
for his headquarters. 

Expected here Thursday after spending 
a few days in San Francisco were Scott 
R. Dunlap, production head of Monogram, 
and W. Ray Johnston, company president. 
They visited the San Francisco exchange 
and conferred with Mel Hulling, its opera- 
tor, on the studio’s 1938-39 product. Ac- 
companying the executives were Mrs. Dun- 
lap and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Bettinson. 

Checking out of Republic, Sunday, was 
James R. Grainger, president of Republic 
Pictures Corp. and general sales manager. 
He spent two weeks at the North Holly- 
wood plant conferring with M. J. Siegel, 
production head, and other studio execu- 
tives, and closed a sales deal with War- 
ners Pacific Coast Theatres circuit while 
here. Grainger heads for New York, 
stopping off in San Francisco, Salt Lake, 
Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago and Charles- 
ton, N. C., en route. 

Leaving at the same time was Sidney R. 
Kent, president of 20th Century-Fox, who 
wound up his visit to the studio after ten 
days of huddles with Darryl F. Zanuck, 
Joseph M. Schenck and others. 

Checking in at Republic on Wednesday 
was William Saal, vice-president of the 
company, coming out from New York for 
an indefinite stay. Though no official an- 
nouncement as to the purposes of his trip 
was made by the studio, it was considered 
probable that Saal’s visit will be of a 
routine nature, concerned with looking 
over the plant’s production lineup for the 
new season. 


Vorhaus Directs Next Breen 

Bernard Vorhaus will direct “Fisher- 
man’s Wharf,’’ the next Bobby Breen 
starrer, which Sol Lesser will produce for 
RKO Radio release. Filming will start 
October 20 on location in San Francisco. 


38 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


CLEARANCE PROBLEM RAISING OBSTACLE TO 
"GREATEST YEAR" CAMPAIGN IN LOS ANGELES 


Extension of Quiz Time 
Is Urged as a Break 
For Independents 


Jurisdictional Row Stymies 

Theatre Staff Union Drive 


Los Angeles — A ll is not sunshine and 
roses with the Motion Pictures’ Greatest 
Year” campaign insofar as a number of 
small independent showmen in this locality- 
are concerned. 

Sour notes began to creep this week into 
the general aura of enthusiasm which had 
enshrouded the drive since its inaugura- 
tion here when, at a scheduled “pep” 
meeting held at the offices of the Inde- 
pendent Theatre Owners of Southern Cali- 
fornia, a number of protests were regis- 
tered against the drive and, particularly, 
against the methods employed in conduct- 
ing the Movie Quiz contest. 

Centered chiefly on the contention that 
the drive cannot possibly benefit them 
because the Quiz Contest will have ended 
before they have been given an oppor- 
tunity to play most of the pictures listed 
as entrants, the 10, 15 and 20 cent “grind” 
and subsequent run house operators claim 
the entire drive in the southern Califor- 
nia area is doing a nosedive insofar as 
producing additional boxoffice revenue or 
stimulating audience interest is concerned. 
To substantiate this assertion, the pro- 
testing exhibitors point to the steadily de- 
clining sale of “Quiz” booklets in this ter- 
ritory. 

A check at the Paramount exchange, 
which is handling the sale and distribution 
of the accessories and “Quiz” booklets 
locally, uncovered the information that ap- 
proximately 300.000 of the booklets are 
currently listed as surplus and are lying 
in the exchange uncalled for. Further, 
the Paramount exchange revealed that an 
order for an additional 100.000 booklets 
placed with it by the Fox West Coast cir- 
cuit was canceled this week. Up until 
Wednesday of this week a total of 1,873,000 
“Quiz” booklets had been sold and dis- 
tributed to exhibitors in this area, the ex- 
change reported. Of these, 1,747,000 were 


" Algiers " Bows Out 
For "Drums" 

San Francisco — After a s’X-week run. 
United Artists' "Algiers'' left the 1,200- 
seat United Artists Theatre here to 
make way for Alexander Korda's 
"Drums." The latter film, to exploit 
which the Indian boy-actor, Sabu, was 
brought here from Los Angeles, is con- 
sidered certain to run at least a month, 
Herman Cohen is owner of the inde- 
pendent first-run outlet. 


Los Angeles — Pending settlement of a 
jurisdictional dispute with the Interna- 
tional Alliance of Theatrical Stage Em- 
ployes, which called a halt to its organiza- 
tional activities here some months ago, the 
Theatrical Managers, Agents and Treas- 
urers’ Union, Local 5, has virtually ceased 
operations here and has closed its head- 
quarters. 

Information to this effect was disclosed 
by E. A. Lake, temporarily occupying the 
post of secretary-treasurer. He revealed 
that Murray Pennock, business manager 
of the' local and one of the instrumental 
factors in raising the chapter’s member- 
ship total to approximately 250, had re- 
signed and returned to New York. 

The TMAT moved in avowedly to or- 
ganize ticket-sellers and house managers 
in local legitimate theatres. After report- 
ing itself successful in this campaign, it 
turned its attention to unionizing house 
managers, assistants and other employes 
of the Fox West Coast circuit. Here it ran 
into a jurisdictional snag when the IATSE 
— of American Federation of Labor, as 
is the TMAT — charged the latter union 
with encroaching upon its territory. The 
dispute was submitted to the National 


ordered and called for on the opening week 
of the drive. 

Total expenditures for “Quiz” books and 
other campaign accessories in this terri- 
tory, thus far, total $11,675, according to 
figures disclosed by the exchange. 

Week-by-week sales tabulations on the 
booklets follow: 


Sepf. 2 1,747.000 

Sept. 9 82,500 

Sept. 16 13,500 

Sept. 23 20,000 

Sept. 30 1,000 

First 3 days of wk. of Oct. 8 9,000 


These showmen’s protests against what 
they term the ineffectiveness of the drive 
were lodged with Charles P. Skouras — 
president of Fox West Coast Theatres and 
chairman of the exhibitors’ local campaign 
committee — and with Robert Poole, gen- 
eral secretary of the ITO. Pleas to have 
the deadline for the Movie Quiz contest, 
now set at December 31, extended for sev- 
eral weeks in order to permit small show- 
men to book and run the Quiz pictures, 
were also made to Poole and Skouras. Both, 
however, indicated they would take no 
action, averring that the protests are to 


Labor Relations Board via a petition, which 
in turn was forwarded to New York. 

Lake reported that the TMAT would re- 
sume operations, if, as and when its tan- 
gle with the IATSE was settled. 

Projectionists Continue 
Los Angeles Parleys 

Los Angeles — With at least two more 
conferences in sight before contracts are 
signed, Projectionists Local 50, IATSE, 
met again with first-run theatre managers 
here on Wednesday to resume discussions 
on new contracts to replace those which 
expired the last of September. 

Confidence again was expressed by the- 
atre officials and union executives that 
terms of the agreement would be decided 
upon and signatures affixed with a mini- 
mum of argument and delay. Theatres 
affected include the Paramount, Pantages, 
Hillstreet, State, Chinese, Hollywood and 
Downtown. 

Scheduling no conferences this week, 
officials of Stagehands Local 33, IATSE, 
are to meet with Fox West Coast execu- 
tives next week to continue their negotia- 
tions for a new contract for the union 
workers with the theatre chain. 


be considered direct problems of the New 
York campaign committee. 

Poole, currently engaged in compiling 
data from subscribers to the campaign to 
garner authentic reports as to what effect 
the drive has had on the collective south- 
ern California boxoffice, declared that in 
the San Diego area and in Arizona, par- 
ticularly in smaller communites where ex- 
hibitors are lending more effort and co- 
operation, excellent results are being re- 
ported. He designated local metropolitan 
exhibitors as “blase” in their handling of 
the campaign, however, and asserted that 
most of them are “merely satisfied” with 
the results, to date, of the drive. A few, 
he admitted, are registering complaints. 
The data which he now is tabulating is 
expected to be disclosed within the next 
ten days. 

Skouras, although bearing the air of 
enthusiasm which he expressed when the 
campaign opened here, was silent as to 
whether it had benefited the boxoffice in 
his FWC theatres. 


Nace Circuit Buys 

Phoenix, Ariz. — The Harry L. Nace cir- 
cuit here has booked Warner product in 
its 14 houses for the 1938-39 season. 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


39 




gOBBY Carruthers, 17-year-old son of 
Don Carruthers, owner of the Coronado 
Theatre in Coronado, was eliminated in 
a singles match by Donald Budge at the 
Pacific Southwest tennis tournament last 
week Bobby is currently the national jun- 
ior men’s singles champion. 

Andy Anderson and Harry Rackin of 
Exhibitors Service, Inc., have returned 
from a three-day business trip to Imperial 
Valley and Arizona . . . Guy Gunderson, 
United Artists salesman, was to toss his 
fourth annual stag at his Santa Anita 
Canyon cabin on Saturday. Approximately 
100 theatre operators and exchangemen 
were invited to help do away with the three 
deer which Gunderson rounded up for the 
occasion. 

Completing a selling trip to Indio and 
the Imperial Valley, Fred Gage and Ken 
MacKaig, United Artists salesmen, have 
returned here . . . Stopping here for only 
a short time on Monday were W. J. Heine- 
mann, western sales manager, and William 
Scully, general sales chief for Universal. 
They pulled out immediately for San 
Francisco, intending to return by the end 
of the week . . . Ronald Vincent, owner 
of the South Coast Theatre at Laguna 
Beach, was a Filmrow visitor. 

Grover Parsons, Republic’s western sales 
manager, visited Francis Bateman, local 
exchange manager, last week and then 
headed back to his San Francisco head- 
quarters. 

A baby boy was born Thursday to Mrs. 
Robert M. Harris, wife of the head of Fox 
West Coast ticket department, at the Santa 
Monica Hospital. 

A sore throat and a touch of influenza 
sent Kay Schaefer, secretary to C. T. 
Lynch at Metro, home from work last 
week. 

To handle the campaign in connection 
with the opening of Metro’s “Marie An- 
toinette,” Jim Schiller, publicity man con- 
nected with the M-G-M exchange, traveled 
to San Diego last week. 

Out for a week’s motor trip went Ralph 
Carmichael, office manager at M-G-M, 
and his wife, who is employed at the Uni- 
versal exchange. 

Don Austin, who manages the Fox The- 
atre in Santa Paula for Fox West Coast, 
(Continued on page 40-0 


Borg Buys Salinas Lot 

But Has No Plans Yet 

Salinas, Cal. — Lawrence Borg, operator 
of several houses in northern California, 
has purchased a 150-foot frontage on the 
corners of Alisal and Main here. The 
price is understood to be around the quar- 
ter-million mark. 

Borg already operates one theatre in 
Salinas, the 700-seat Crystal, in associa- 
tion with John Peters, so it is not known 
whether construction of a second house 
is -planned for the near future. 

Other theatres in which Borg is in- 
terested include the 900-seat Uptown, 500- 
seat State and 1,400-seat Fox in Napa, 
and the 1,100-seat President, downtown 
subsequent-run in San Francisco. 


O'Neill-Bowles Marriage 
Climaxes Long Friendship 

San Francisco — A theatre-business ro- 
mance culminating a long friendship start- 
led northern California Filmrow with the 
elopement to Reno, Nev., of Peggy O’Neill 
and A. M. Bowles, division manager of 
the territory for Fox West Coast. 

Miss O’Neill, noted all over the Pacific 
Coast for her direction of stage offerings, 
for the past two years has been in charge 
of presentations for the Golden Gate, local 
RKO first-run outlet. Prior to that time 
she had headed the stage division of the 
Warfield Theatre, one of the three FWC 
first-run houses here. 


Decker Names Hi Peskay 
Majestic Exchange Head 

Los Angeles — Hi Peskay, formerly of 
Grand National, has been appointed man- 
ager of the newly-established Majestic 
Pictures exchange here by S. K. Decker. 
Peskay goes to work October 10 and will 
announce his sales force at that time. 


"Faust” Reception Fair 

San Francisco — Max Reinhardt’s elab- 
orate production of “Faust,” moved to the 
Civic Auditorium here after its perform- 
ance in the Hollywood Bowl, rated only 
fair response from critics and public. 
Lenore Ulric, Conrad Nagle, and Margo 
were among the stellar cast. 


ID) IE M V IE R 

^■HE Webber, a Fox house, has reopened 

after being closed all summer. Harry 
Lane, formerly at Walsenburg, Colo., has 
been brought in as manager. The Web- 
ber was one of five Denver houses that 
closed as an economy measure, and is the 
last one to reopen. 

Chas. R. Gilmour, Gibralter Enterprises 
theatres head, on a business tour of their 
houses in New Mexico and southern Colo- 
rado. E. J. Schulte of Casper, Wyo., a 
member of the company, is making the 
trip with Gilmour. On this trip they are 
completing arrangements to take over the 
Grand at Rocky Ford, Colo., from J. J. 
Goodstein. Gibralter is buying this pro- 
perty, as well as the property of the Rialto 
in Loveland, Colo., where Gibralter has 
been operating for some time. The Rocky 
Ford transfer will be made October 16, and 
will give the group 32 houses in Colorado, 
Wyoming, Nebraska and New Mexico. 

The Tabor, a subsequent Fox house, will 
go to vaudeville three days a week — Fri- 
day through Sunday, with a single feature 
on the screen. From Monday through 
Thursday the old policy of double features 
will remain. The stage show will be the 
old vaudeville, with five acts and no mas- 
ter of ceremonies. 

After spending a short time here, Ben 
Fish, district manager for United Artists, 
continued on to the New York meeting of 
district and division managers. 

Mrs. Frank Sheffield, secretary to A1 
Hoffman, UA exchange manager, is ill at 
home. 

Lon T. Fidler, boss of the Monogram 
exchanges here and in Salt Lake City, left 
on a business trip to that city, and points 
between. 

Starting with a purse of $5 and adding 
$2.50 weekly the Rocky Mountain Screen 
Club has added Bank Night to its Satur- 
day night attractions. The drawings will 
be held at 10:30, and as is the rule with 
Bank Night in theatres, the member whose 
number is drawn will have to be present 
to claim the money. The ladies of the 
club are getting under way with their ac- 
tivities for the fall. With bridge and 
Bingo scheduled for Wednesdays of this 
month, the climax will come with the 
Hallowe’en party on October 29. This is 
always one of the big events of the year, 
and the club rooms are usually packed. 
Prizes go to the best costumes. 


Your Best Friend! 

GOOD ADVERTISING! 

Our monthly theatre calendars have proven to be a real friend to 
many box offices. The appealing effect on the public tends to have it 
in their homes where at a glance they may obtain information as to 
their amusement for the evening. 

National Theatre Calendar & Printing Co. 

2165 Broadway Denver, Colorado 


Governor Martin Endorses 
Motion Picture Campaign 

Portland, Ore. — An endorsement by 
Gov. Charles H. Martin of the Motion 
Pictures’ Greatest Year campaign came in 
the form of a statement urging public 
participation “in this great movement . . . 
and to partake in the $250,000 Movie 
Quiz.” 

The governor’s statement was issued 
following a visit from Ted R. Gamble, 
Oregon chairman of the drive, and Albert 
Finkelstein and Bob White, all of Port- 
land. 


40 


BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1938 


24 

FEATURE PRODUCTIONS 


12 

Excellent 

Attractions 


Season 

1938-1939 


12 

Box Office 
Attractions 


2301 

*Thanks for Listening 

Pinky Tomlin 
Maxine Doyle 

2302 

* Swing It Professor 

Pinky Tomlin 
Paula Stone 

2303 

★Devil Diamond 

Frankie Darro 

June Gale 

2304 

★Young Dynamite 

Frankie Darro 
Charlotte Henry 

2305 

Yellow Cargo 

In Preparation 

2306 

The Thoroughbred 

Toby Wing 
Kenneth Duncan 

2307 

Flying Fists 

J. Farrel McDonald 
Fuzzy Knight 

2308 

Million Dollar Racket 

In Production 

2309 

Amateur Crook 

In Production 

2310 

Clipped Wings 

Lloyd Hughes 
Rosalind Keith 

2311 

Sky Racket 

In Preparation 

2312 

Million to One 

Joan Fontaine 
Reed Howes 


^ Special Productions 


2313 

★The River Patrol 

In Preparation 

2314 

★Mother of the World 

In Preparation 

2315 

★Anything for a Thrill 

Frankie Darro 
June Johnson 

2316 

★Broken Blossoms 

Triumphant 

Dolly Haas 

2317 

The Speed Demon 

Muriel Evans 

Rex Lease 

2318 

Mile-O-Minute Love 

In Production 

2319 

Dynamite Delaney 

In Preparation 

2320 

Fury Below 

Russell Gleason 
Maxine Doyle 

2321 

Bars of Hate 

Regis Toomey 
Sheila Terry 

2322 

Singapore Sal 

In Preparation 

2323 

The Shadow Speaks 

In Preparation 

2324 

The Reno Flyer 

In Preparation 


^ Special Productions 


6 

KERMIT MAYNARD 

Based on Stories by 
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD 


12 

EPIC WESTERNS 


6 

COL. TIM McCOY 

Produced by 
SAM KATZMAN 


ROARING SIX GUNS 
FIGHTING TEXAN 
WHISTLING BULLETS 
VALLEY OF TERROR 
ROUGH RIDING RHYTHM 
THE APACHE TRAIL 



LIGHTNING CARSON RIDES 
RETURN OF THE TERROR 
OUTLAWS' PARADISE 
CODE OF THE CACTUS 
TEXAS WILDCAT 
TRIGGER FINGERS 


MAJESTIC DISTRIBUTING CORP. 

REpublic 3138 Formerly All Star Pictures LOS ANGELES 

REpublic 3139 1928 SOUTH VERMONT AVENUE CALIFORNIA 


BOXOFFICE : : October 8, 1938 


40-A 



Y’ISITORS: From Hollywood came Joan 
Davis and Jack Healy, comedians, and 
Starlet Marjorie Weaver, to brighten first 
showings of “Hold That Co-Ed’’ at the 
FWC Warfield . . . En route to the film 
capital after a perilous near-drowning 
in the Pacific Northwest was Marjorie 
Tanner, niece of David Selznick . . . R. E. 
Rehbach of the Budde Publications, who’s 
often earned his title of San Francisco’s 
Winchell, swears that Irene Dunne and 
Ginger Rogei’s were among the guests of 
Tallulah Bankhead, currently seen here 
in the stage play, “I Am Different,” when 
the stage star entertained a large party at 
one of the city’s Bohemian North Beach 
resorts. 

Eddie Cantor’s daughter, Edna June, 
and new husband, James F. McHugh jr., 
were here on their honeymoon . . . Edmund 
Lowe paid a flying visit to Palo Alto to 
attend to business affairs resulting from 
the death of a relative living in the north- 
ern California city. 

Just along the Row: Wally Feehan is 
confined to his home with flu . . . Max 
Morris’s Western Poster gang are getting 
set for the big remodeling which will give 
that organization more space to work in 
and more things to do for exhibitors . . . 
Bill Helm of Niles is taking another vaca- 
tion at Hoberg’s (the third this year, if 
our count’s right) . . . NBC’s Lloyd Yoder 
has just bought himself a lot on Belvedere 
Island, and will start building right away. 

Bruce Johnstone is back again after 
selling some new ticket machines to various 
exhibitors in the territory . . . Bruno Vec- 
charelli is back after a trip to Gilroy. 


A Commission Suit 
Faced By Laemmle 

Los Angeles — Charging that he has not 
been paid the commission promised him 
for handling the deal, “Doc” Barsky, local 
theatre broker, has filed suit in superior 
court against Kurt Laemmle, who recently 
purchased the Franklin Theatre, on North 
Figueroa St., from Harry Rackin. 

The amount allegedly due Barsky was 
not set forth in the complaint. 

Arthur Unger to Coulter 
In Northern California 

San Francisco — Arthur Unger, for the 
past several years advertising and sub- 
scription x’epresentative of Boxoffice 
through the western states, has been ap- 
pointed northern California repesentative 
for Coulter Premiums. 

Unger has established himself at 177 
Golden Gate Ave. on San Francisco’s 
Filmrow, and from his combination display- 
and-storage headquarters will service ex- 
hibitors in this area. 

Bill Quinn, veteran theatre man, is 
southern California representative located 
in Los Angeles. 

Highlights of the Coulter line includes 
Mexicali colored pottery ware, Harker hot 
ovenware, and the Taylor, Smith and 
Taylor china line, and new Dresserware 
sets. 

Unger stated there are more than 40 
theatres in northern California using Coul- 
ter Premiums successfully. 



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BUNGALOW SUITES SET IN TROPICAL GARDENS 
From 535 PER WEEK lor TWO, AMERICAN PLAN 
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•••^-HOLLYWOOD 


CALIFORNIA 


S HE A T T IL IE 

gILL PARKER, publicity chief for 
M-G-M in the Northwest, was called 
to Califoi-nia when his father, Julius Par- 
ker, was killed in an auto wreck while driv- 
ing from San Francisco to Los Angeles. 
Pai'ker sr. lived in Seattle for a good many 
years and was a pioneer in the suit and 
cloak business here . . . Twenty-eight 
friends of Rex Stevenson attended a good- 
bye dinner given in his honor. The 
mother of Tony Filigno, Fox booker, pre- 
pared the meal and a good time was had 
by all. A present of silverware was given 
to Rex as a memory token. Rex for the 
past few years has been head booker for 
the Danz Sterling Theatres. He did not 
say what his new connections will be in 
San Francisco, the city where he will 
headquarter. 

Joe Rosen field back from a business trip 
to New York and once more looking after 
the interests of Evergreen circuit in Spo- 
kane where he is city manager . . . Jack 
Flannery of National Screen has packed 
his bag and is off for a business trip 
through Oregon and Montana . . . Art 
Aronson of Southern Poster Co. is on his 
way home after visiting with Don Beck- 
man of Western Poster in Seattle and 
Portland . . . James R. Grainger in the 
Northwest looking over situations with J. 
T. Sheffield and Grover Parsons all of 
Republic Pictures . . . Mrs. Roy Brobeck 
celebrating her birthday by cooking a spe- 
cial dinner for Roy Pollock sr. who left 
for Cottage Grove, Ore. 

Bud Denton of the M-G-M office catch- 
ing a 16-pound salmon and pi’oud of it 
. . . Senior and Beryl Mercy in from Ya- 
kima to pick up a wire-haired tender to 
take back for a pet . . . Ned Edris back 
from a plane trip to Los Angeles . . . A1 
Goldstein still with the foot in a cast and 
hopes to get the thing off in a couple of 
weeks. 

Glenn Hughes, director of the University 
of Washington division of drama, is hoping 
for early approval for an application for 
WPA labor to construct a new penthouse 
theatre on the university campus. 


Wins Billboard Permits 

San Francisco — City permission has been 
granted the local Foster & Kleiser outdoor 
advertising organization to erect seven new 
billboards in various suburban locations 
around San Francisco, four 24-sheet stands 
and three six-sheet stands. 


Berko fi to Build 

Los Angeles — Lou Berkoff, owner of the 
La Tosca Theatre here, will start con- 
struction immediately on a new 600-seat 
house at Pico Blvd. and Manhattan Ave. 
Plans have been approved and Berkoff is 
awaiting a building permit. 


Burch “SUPER SHOWMAN” Facts 

The difference between tough times and 
good times, Mr. Exhibitor, is 

“A Burch in your lobby” 

POPCORN SMITH, BOX 284, SEATTLE 


40-B 


BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1938 




LOS ANGELES 

(Continued from page 40) 

checked in at FWC headquarters for a 
conference. 

Mike Newman, exploitation man work- 
ing out of the Columbia exchange here, is 
in Seattle handling the opening of “You 
Can’t Take It With You.” 

S£i uu-orin--- «- 

In for conferences with W. B. Calloway, 
district manager, is William P. Gordon, 
manager of the Warner exchange in Salt 
Lake City. 

Rotus and Julian Harvey, brothers, who 
operate several theatres in San Francisco 
and the Bay district, were Filmrow visitors. 

Visitors: Ivan Rowley, of the Ward 
Theatre, Pismo Beach; Earl Calvert, opera- 
tor of the Lompoc in Lompoc; Harry Gold- 
berg, in from his National Theatre in 
National City; and Ashley Woods, who 
runs the Chino in Chino. 

N. P. Jacobs, RKO Radio’s branch man- 
ager, is in Arizona on business. 

Massie Wodlinger, traffic manager for 
Goldberg Film Delivery, is back from a 
three-week business trip which took him to 
Tucson and Phoenix. 

It was erroneously reported in a recent 
issue of Boxoffice that the La Jolla The- 
atre, a local house, was a unit in the Fox 
West Coast circuit and that it had been 
shut down. The La Jolla is owned and op- 
erated by B. J. Leavitt and has not gone 
dark. 


SALT LAKE 

^^ITHIN two weeks, Maurice Saffle, local 
Metro exchange manager, leaves for 
Paris on a prize trip he won in a com- 
pany sales competition. For a while, be- 
fore the Four Powers got together on the 
dismemberment of Czechoslovakia, Saffle 
feared he would not get to make the trip. 

In its third straight week at the Studio 
here, “Boys Town” is still packing them in 
. . . E. Bradley Fish, local GN ex- 
change manager, was in Chicago attending 
a company regional meeting . . . An Arts 
Building to house a Little Theatre is now 
a proud possession of Eureka, Utah. 

The national industry drive was ex- 
plained last week to the Salt Lake Adver- 
tising Club by J. E. Madsen, UA office 
manager here . . . The new Murray The- 
atre, Murray, Utah, was to open October 5. 
NTS outfitted the 700-seat house. 

New manager of the Mario Theatre at 
Sugarhouse, a local suburb, is Ray Taylor, 
formerly assistant at the Centre Theatre 
here . . . George Smith, operator of the 
Gem and Empress at Magna, Utah, has 
remodeled both properties . . . Viola Kori- 
kas of Sheffield- Republic offices here has 
wound up her Idaho vacation. 

Visitors: Actor Stuart Erwin, Radio 
Commentator Graham McNamee, Republic 
Publicist William Fall. 


Warner Pacific Circuit 
In 100% Republic Buy 

Los Angeles — Republic has sold its en- 
tire 1938-39 output to Warner’s Pacific 
Coast theatre circuit, it was announced 
here this week. James R. Grainger, Re- 
public sales chief; Francis Bateman, man- 
ager of the local exchange; and Grover 
Parsons, western sales supervisor, handled 
the deal, with Lou Halper sitting in for 
Warner. 

Product will be booked into Warner 
houses in Santa Barbara, San Pedro, San 
Bernardino, Fresno, Huntington Park, Bev- 
erly Hills, Hollywood and Los Angeles, in 
California; Salem, Oregon; and Aberdeen 
and Hoquiam, Washington. 


Gibraltar Enterprises 
Buys Rocky Ford House 

Denver — The Gibraltar Enterprises will 
take possession October 16 of its newly 
acquired Grand Theatre at Rocky Ford, 
according to Charles R. Gilmour, presi- 
dent of the company. 

Gibraltar has also bought the theatre 
building in Loveland, Colo., which it was 
operating under lease. These purchases 
are in line with a policy of expansion that 
the firm has set for itself. 

Acquisition of the Rocky Ford Theatre, 
which will now be closed for redecorat- 
ing, brings the total of Gibraltar houses 
to 32. Gibraltar confines its activities to 
Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and 
western Nebraska. 


Higher Admission Back 

Southgate, Cal. — D. B. Irvine’s Gem 
Theatre has gone back to its 15-cent gen- 
eral admission price after experimenting 
for three weeks on a 10-cent scale. 


Breck Photoplay Supply Company 

A Complete Line of Theatre Supplies and 
Equipment 

1969 So. Vermont BE. 3151 

B. F. SHEARER COMPANY 

“Theatre Equipment Specialists” 
Heywood-Wakefield Seats 

Wagner Silhouette Letters 

Motiograph Projectors 
1968 So. Vermont RE. 8212 


THEATRE DECORATORS 


Specialists in Theatre Decoration 
NAT SMYTHE & SONS 
Decorators 

1914 So. Vermont RE. 3578 



J^ORMAN GOODMAN of Carlton is back 
from a vacation at Victoria, B. C. On 
Portland’s Filmrow he announced the sale 
of his house in Willamina which he has 
operated for the past two years. The 
purchaser, Warren Roof of Southern Cali- 
fornia, has been in the show business at 
Long Beach for eight years. He will re- 
model the Willamina house. 

Bob Narsden and Denny Hull from 
Marshfield were recent Portland visitors 
. . . Jack Dailey, Paramount publicity ex- 
pert from Hollywood, is expected down 
from Seattle. He was formerly with the 
Paramount Theatre here and is a friend 
of Jim O’Connell of Eugene . . . Sam 
Whiteside of Corvallis had a big season 
with Jack Kloepper of United Artists. 

Mrs. Harriett Edwards of Reedsport is 
back from a three- week trip through Yel- 
lowstone park. She visited relatives on the 
way in Montana . . . George Hunt added 
his name to the Row’s visitors list, from 
Medford . . . Others were Don Radabaugh 
from Roseburg; Claude Smith from Tilla- 
mook; Ted Francis from Newberg, and 
Harry Percy of White Salmon . . . Helen 
Bush, Jack Kloepper’s secretary, is visiting 
her mother in Medford. 

George Smith, Paramount district man- 
ager, is expected from San Francisco . . . 
Vete Stewart wants everyone to know he’s 
just completed a deal with Tri-State cir- 
cuit, the last in his territory . . . W. W. 
Hickman of Southern Oregon was on the 
Row ... So was George Roy of the State 
Theatre in Eugene, and Bill Ripley of 
Longview. 

Jack Flannery of National Screen Ser- 
vice in Seattle was down looking the situa- 
tion over . . . Mike Newman has been driv- 
ing everybody crazy with “You Can’t Take 
It With You.” 


Carabin Engineering Company 

“Air Conditioning Engineers" 

1914 So. Vermont Los Angeles 

— Over 30 Theatres in 1937 — 


EXPLOITATION PICTURES 


Now Booking 

’’LOVE LIFE OF A GORILLA" 
"CHILDREN OF LONELINESS" 

Wm. G. Smith's Jewel Productions 

1912 So. Vermont RO. 2205 


TRADE DIRECTORY 

- A HANDY GUIDE FOR THE EXHIBITOR - 

LOS ANGELES 


EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 


AIR CONDITIONING 


BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1938 


40-C 


Dn "The Alaki 


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BLONDUE — Arthur Lake, Penny Singleton, Dorothy 
Moore, Larry Simms. Producer: Robert Sparks. 
Director: Prank Strayer. Original: Chic Young. 
Screenplay: Robert Flournoy. 

TRAIL OF THE TUMBLEWEED — Charles Star- 
rett. Iris Meredith, Bob Nolan, Sons of the 
Pioneers. Producer: Harry L. Decker. Director: 
Sam Nelson. 


UNTITLED — Buck Jones, Carmen Bailey, Milburn 
Stone, Stanley Blystone. Producer: Monroe 
Shaff (Coronet). Director: Elmer Clifton. Ori- 
ginal Screenplay: Monroe Shaff, Arthur Hoerl. 


a 

o 


2; ROLL, 

Q lard. 

2 


WAGONS, ROLL — Tex Ritter, Snub Pol- 
Producer: Ed Finney. 


GUNPACKER— Jack Randall, Charles King, Bar- 
lowe Borland, Glenn Strange. Producer: Robert 
Tansey. Screenplay: Robert Emmett. Director: 
Wallace Fox. 


THE ICE FOLLIES — Bess Ehrhardt, George Mur- 
phy. Producer: Harry Rapf. Director: Rhein- 
J? hold Schunzel. 

O A CHRISTMAS CAROL — Reginald Owen, Terry 
g Kilbourne, Lynn Carver. Producer: Harry Rapf. 

” Director: Edwin L. Marin. Original: Charles 

Dickens. 


SPRING DANCE — Maureen O’Sullivan, Ann Mor- 
ris, Lew Ayres, Burgess Meredith, Joyce Comp- 
ton, Dick Baldwin. Producer: Harry Rapf. Di- 
rector: S. Sylvan Simon. 

DRAMATIC SCHOOL— Luise Rainer, Lana Tur- 
ner, Paulette Goddard, Ann Rutherford, Melville 
Cooper, Dorothy Grainger, Alan Marshal, Rand 
Brooks. Producer: Mervyn LeRoy. Director: 
Robert Sinclair. Original: Ladislaus Bus-Fekete. 
Screenplay: Ernest Vajda. 


YOUNG DR. KILDARE — Lew Ayres, Nat Pendle- 
ton, Emma Dunn, Lionel Barrymore, Truman 
Bradley. Director: Henry Bucquet. 


CAFE SOCIETY — Madeline Carroll, Fred MacMur- 
S ray, Shirley Ross. Producer: Jeff Lazarus. Di- 

5 rector: Edward H. Griffith. Original: Lucius 

Beebe. Screenplay: Virginia Van Upp. 


AMBUSH — Gladys Swarthout, Richard Stanley, 
Broderick Crawford, Lloyd Nolan, Ernest Truex, 
William Frawley, Antonio Moreno. Producer: 
Harold Hurley. Director: Kurt Neumann. Origi- 
nal: Robert Ray. 

TOM SAWYER, DETECTIVE — Donald O’Connor. 
Billy Cook, Billy Lee, Porter Hall. Producer: 
Harold Hurley. Director: James Hogan. Ori- 
ginal: Mark Twain. Screenplay: Lewis Foster. 


ST. LOUIS BLUES — Lloyd Nolan, Dorothy La- 
mour, Tito Guizar, Elizabeth Patterson, Maxine 
Sullivan, William Frawley, Jerome Cowan. Pro- 
ducer: Jeff Lazarus. Director: Raoul Walsh. 
Original: Eleanore Griffin, William Rankin. 
Screenplay: Virginia Van Upp. 


THE PURE IN MIND — Anne Shirley, James Mc- 
O Callion, Walter Ward, Charles Powers. Producer: 
M P. J. Wolfson. Director: P. J. Wolfson. Original: 

W Albert Bein. Screenplay: Albert Bein. 


GUNGA DIN — Cary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks jr., 
Joan Fontaine, Sam Jaffe, Victor McLaglen, 
Sabu. Producer: Pandro S. Berman. Director: 
George Stevens. Original : Rudyard Kipling. 
Screenplay: Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur, 
Fred Guiol, Joel Sayre. 


LAWLESS VALLEY — George O’Brien, Kay Sut- 
ton, Walter Miller, Fred Kohler sr. Producer: 
Bert Gilroy. Director: David Howard. Ori- 
ginal: Bernard McConville. Screenplay: John 
Twist, Clarence Young. 


FEDERAL SIAN HUNT — Producer: Bernard Vor- 
haus. Director: Bernard Vorhaus. Screenplay: 
Cu Henry C. Lewis, Ring Lardner jr., Maxwell 

W Shane. 

® STRONGHEART — Tommy Ryan. Producer: Her- 

man Schlom. Screenplay: Olive Cooper. 


STORM OVER BENGAL — Richard Cromwell, Colin 
Tapley, Douglas Dumbrille. Producer: Armand 
Schaefer. Director: Sidney Salkow. Screenplay: 
Garrett Fort. Original: Reginald Campbell. 


^ A BUNDLE OF JOY — Jed Prouty, Shirley Deane, 
P Russell Gleason, Kenneth Howell, Spring By- 

i ington. Producer: John Stone. Director: Mai 

►C St. Clair. Original: Betty Reinhardt, Hilda 

^ Stone, 

cs 


THANKS FOR EA’ERYTHING— Jack Haley, Ar- 
leen Whelan, Jack Oakie, Tony Martin, Binnie 
Barnes, Adolphe Menjou. Producer: Harry Joe 
Brown. Director: William A. Seiter. Screen- 
play: Harry Tugend. 

SAMSON AND THE LADIES— June Gale, Michael 
Whalen, Lynn Bari, Big Boy Williams, John 
Miljan. Producer: Sol M. Wurtzel. Director: 
H. Bruce Humberstone. Screenplay: Marguerite 
Roberts, John Grey. 


ARIZONA WILDCAT — Jane Withers, Leo Carrillo, 
Pauline Moore, Henry Wilcoxon, Douglas Fow- 
ley. Producer: John Stone. Director: Herbert I. 
Leeds. Original Screenplay: Frances Hyland, 
Albert Ray, Jerry Cady, Barry Trivers. 


< 

& 


TOPPER TAKES A TRIP— Constance Bennett, 
Roland Young, Billie Burke, Franklin Pang- 
born, Alan Mowbray, Paul Lukas, Verree Teas- 
dale. Producer: Hal Roach. Director: Norman 
Z. McLeod. Original: Thorne Smith. Screen- 
play: Jack Jevne, Eddie Moran, Milton H. Bren. 
Norman Z. McLeod. 


MADE FOR EACH OTHER — Carole Lombard, 
James Stewart, Lawrence Grant, Charles Co- 
burn, Charley Grapewin, Lionel Pape. Pro- 
ducer: David O. Selznick. Director: John Crom- 
well. Original: Rose Franken. Screenplay: Jo 
Swerling. 


THE DEAD DON’T CARE — Preston Foster, Frank 
Jenks. Producer: Irving Starr (Crime Club 
Productions). Director: A1 Rogell. Original: 
Jonathan Latimer. Screenplay: Edmund L. 
b> Hartmann. 

a LITTLE TOUGH GUYS IN SOCIETY — Frankie 

C Thomas, Hally Chester, David Gorcey, Jack 

Searl, Peggy Stewart, Mary Boland, Edward 
.Everett Horton, Mischa Auer. Producer: Ken 
Goldsmith. Director: Erie Kenton. 


WEST SIDE MIRACLE — Edmund Lowe, Helen 
Mack, Dick Foran, Leon Ames. Producer: Burt 
Kelly. Director: Arthur Lubin. 

ADAM’S EVENING — Charlie Ruggles, Ona Munson, 
Richard Lane, Benny Baker, Regis Toomey. Pro- 
ducer: Ken Goldsmith. Director: Gus Meins. 
Original: Katherine Kavanaugh. 


STRANGE FACES — Frank Jenks, Dorothea Kent, 
Leon Ames, Andy Devine. Producer: Burt 
Kelly. Director: Errol Taggart. Original: Cor- 
nelius Reece, Arndt Giusti. Screenplay: Charles 
Grayson. 


DARK VICTORY — Bette Davis, George Brent, 

g Humphrey Bogart, Ronald Reagan. Producer: 

David Lewis. Director: Edmund Goulding. 

03 THE OKLAHOMA KID — James Cagney, Rosemary 
^ Lane. Producer: Sam Bischoff. Director: Lloyd 
Bacon. 


UNFIT TO PRINT — Pat O’Brien, Joan Blondell, 
Douglas Dumbrille, Alan Baxter. Producer: 
Sam Bischoff. Director: James Flood. 

SECRET SERVICE IN THE AIR — Ronald Reagan, 
Irene Rhodes, James Stephenson, Rosella Towne. 
Producer: Bryan Foy. Director: Noel Smith. 


40-D 


BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1938 



CREDIT INDUSTRY DRIVE WITH QUICKENING 
THEATRE ATTENDANCE IN ST. LOUIS AREA 


Public Brings Action 


Motion Picture Week Set; 
Report Extension of 
Campaign 

St. Louis — Business here is decidedly 
up compared with the same period in 1937 
and the national Quiz Contest is credited 
for this stimulation in boxoffiee receipts. 

Fred Wehrenberg, exhibitor leader in 
this area and head of the MPTO unit 
of St. Louis, E. Mo. and S. 111., unquali- 
fiedly credits the concerted push by the 
entire industry for the quickening of the- 
atre attendance. 

Proclamation Issued 

Mayor Bernard F. Dickmann, by proc- 
lamation, has designated October 7-13, 
inclusive, as “Motion Picture Week.” Thea- 
tremen are planning to increase their 
budget for newspaper advertising during 
this period. A parade, planned previously, 
has been called off. 

It has been learned that all exhibitors 
coming through with their 10-cent-per- 
seat contribution to the $500,000 busi- 
ness-building campaign will be guaranteed 
playdates for at least 30 prize pictures be- 
fore the close of the contest. Those not 
getting that many contest pictures, it is 
understood, will be refunded their cam- 
paign contributions. 

May Extend Closing Date 

This unofficial report is indicative of 
the possibility that the national push may 
be extended beyond December 31, the clos- 
ing date at present. 

While there are still a number of con- 
test “hold-outs” in this area, over 150,000 
booklets have been distributed to patrons 
in St. Louis and St. Louis county. 

The Star-Times, afternoon newspaper, 
helped the drive along with a splendid 
editorial on “Movie Week.” The editorial 
follows : 

“As part of the motion picture industry’s 
current goodwill campaign and it's 50th 
anniversary, Mayor Dickmann has pro- 
claimed the period October 7-13 Motion 
Picture Week. 

“Undoubtedly thousands of St. Louis 
movie fans will join with the mayor and 
the movie industry in celebrating the oc- 
casion at their neighborhood theatres. 
For the movies have become part of Amer- 
ican life. They are a pleasant and infor- 
mative diversion from the troubles of the 
workaday world. 

A Progressive Industry 

“The movie industry has itself to thank 
for its progress. Throughout the years 
its aim has been to serve, to entertain 
and to educate the public. It has been the 
first to admit the error of its ways as 
witness how eager it was to cooperate with 
the Legion of Decency to clean its own 
house. It has zealously guarded against 


St. Louis — Mr. and Mrs. Public and all 
the little Publics are jogging some of the 
backward theatre owners and managers 
in this territory into line on the “Motion 
Pictures Are Your Greatest Entertain- 
ment” sales drive. 

A small number of theatre owners ap- 
parently wanted to give further thought to 
the Big Guessing Contest, but when nu- 
merous cash customers began to ask 
cashiers for their Quiz booklets, the sleep- 
ers were rudely awakened and have been 
streaking a path to Filmrow the past few 
days to obtain them and other para- 
phernalia. 

C. D. Hill, Columbia manager, who has 
been receiving pledge cards, said that 
about 90 per cent of the exhibitors in this 
territory already have sent in their 
pledges and each mail brings in a fresh 
flock of cards. 

To date, only one important St. Louis 
theatre owner has failed to come into 
line, but present indications are he will 
make it 100 per cent here within the next 
few days. 

The public response has been very 
gratifying. The local newspapers, the 
Globe-Democrat in the morning, and the 
Post-Dispatch and Star-Times in the 
afternoon field, and some of the neigh- 
borhood weeklies have been very generous 
with their space. The Globe-Democrat 
especially has caught the spirit of the 
compaign, coming through with large 
layouts of publicity copy and photos on 
two different days. 


injecting propaganda into films. It has 
striven always to keep its pictures on a 
high standard and though it has missed 
this ideal on occasions it has produced 
some outstanding successes. It has spared 
no expense to offer pictures of intense 
historical interest and artistic effect. 

“On the distributing end the exhibitors 
likewise have been anxious to please the 
public. Whenever their patrons are dis- 
satisfied with productions their complaints 
are forwarded to the film companies. The- 
atres have been modernized to give patrons 
the last word in comfort. Indeed, it is 
a far cry from the garish gas light and the 
too-chilly and too-stuffy nickelodeon of 
yesterday to the softly-lighted and air- 
conditioned theatres of today. 

“Like other industries the movies suf- 
fered from business conditions. But mo- 
tion picture executives do not suffer from 
lack of faith in their country to weather 
the economic storm. As evidence of this 
faith they have launched a $1,000,000 cam- 
paign to stimulate their industry. If all 
industries do likewise there is a possibility 
that we would be out of the trenches by 
Christmas.” 


The Post-Dispatch has tied in with the 
campaign by running its own ads urging 
readers to get the Quiz booklets at their 
favorite theatres and to see the latest pic- 
ture offerings in the motion picture 
columns of the papers. 


National Character of 
Films Is Editorial Theme 

Indianapolis, Ind. — T